Bulgaria and the Republic of Northern Macedonia will have over 31 million euros under the cross-border cooperation program until 2027

The Joint Working Group on Programming approved the draft program for cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria and the Republic of Northern Macedonia (RNM) for the period 2021-2027. After this one with Romania, this is the second cross-border program European Commission. This was announced by the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Delyana Ivanova after the end of the sixth meeting of the Joint Working Group for Program Development. Together with Zoran Dimitrovski, Deputy Minister of Local Self-Government of the RNM, Ivanova co-chaired the online meeting of the Joint Program Committee for project approval.

"The indicative budget of the program is 31,152,400 euros, which are divided into three main priorities," said Delyana Ivanova. The first is to achieve a greener cross-border region. Nearly EUR 5 million will be used to support measures to meet the main specific objective of promoting green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution.

The second priority aims to improve regional connectivity and promote economic growth in the cross-border region. Nearly 9.3m euros have been earmarked for this purpose. The funds will be targeted in the strategic project for a new border checkpoint between Strumyani and Berovo on the border between Bulgaria and the Republic of Northern Macedonia. "We will improve transport connectivity by opening a new border checkpoint, which has been planned for more than 20 years and we consider it a common priority," the deputy minister said. The lack of infrastructure conducive to the provision of services of interest to the community and business further imposes serious social consequences, including greater social exclusion and inequality, as well as challenges to the provision of leisure services and labor markets. The need to strengthen regional connectivity and facilitate the growing trafficking in human beings and goods between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Northern Macedonia is the leading motive for the accelerated construction of the Klepalo border checkpoint. The commitment of the Bulgarian government was announced in early March, when the composition of the Bulgarian part of the Joint Expert Commission for Determining the Type and Parameters of the New Point was determined. The Cabinet has appointed the Regional Governor of Blagoevgrad as a beneficiary / contracting authority in connection with the preparation and implementation of the Klepalo border checkpoint. The work of the commission is expected to begin with the first formal meeting within a month.

The construction of the Strumyani-Berovo border checkpoint has the potential to have a favorable economic and environmental effect in the region, taking over some of the growing traffic at existing border crossings. Passing through Klepalo will save distance and time, and will have beneficial effects on the environment by reducing the concentration of harmful emissions.

The largest resource - just over 14m euros - has been set aside for the third priority, which supports the integrated development of the cross-border region. The aim is to promote integrated and inclusive social, economic and environmental local development by supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and sustainable tourism in the region. "We will invest in the competitiveness of local businesses by strengthening the green transition and introducing circular economy practices in small and medium-sized enterprises. "Today we call it the "green approach", but tomorrow it will be the leading precondition for economic development," Ivanova said. According to her, the goal is to support the ideas of local communities through a bottom-up approach. "The flexibility of this instrument is a great opportunity to stimulate the tourism sector and revive cultural heritage sites and traditions," the Deputy Minister added.

The scope of the program includes the districts of Blagoevgrad and Kyustendil in Bulgaria. In the Republic of Northern Macedonia, the scope includes the Northeastern, Eastern and Southeastern regions. A total of nearly 950,000 people live in the settlements on both sides of the border.

The Deputy Minister stressed that all priorities are set and justified in the programming documents in a way that will ensure smooth implementation and the achievement of visible results for the cross-border region. "The meeting is marked by a crucial moment in international relations, especially between neighboring countries. This is to emphasize the crucial importance of strong interconnections that can bring peace and prosperity to people in cross-border regions. Now, more than ever, we need as much joint action as possible to ensure more sustainable and integrated development," Delyana Ivanova concluded.