Deputy Minister Denitsa Nikolova: The benefits of our EU membership are palpable not only in the renovation and modernization of the regions, but also in the economy through GDP growth

Our EU membership has contributed greatly not only to the development and renovation of our settlements, but also to the increase in the Gross Domestic Product. This was stated by Denitsa Nikolova, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works and Head of the OPRG Managing Authority, at the national scientific conference Bulgaria in the European Union: Ten Years Later - Impact on the Development of Public Policies and Legislation, organized by New Bulgarian University.

Deputy Minister Nikolova pointed out that with the successful implementation of EU-funded programs, there is also a positive change in the economic activity of the working population, in employment and unemployment. “Higher employment rate allows for faster income growth. Investing in different types of regional infrastructure will contribute to a more even distribution and sustainable long-term growth,” Nikolova noted. GDP growth was also reported in the implementation of the 2007-2013 programs. “At the end of 2015, only under Operational Program Regional Development the accumulated effect of the program on the real GDP of the country amounted to 1.2%. There is also a positive impact on private investment, which has increased by 3.1%, employment growth - by 1.2%, and average wage growth - by 0.6%.”

Deputy Minister Nikolova reminded that MRDPW, as the responsible institution for the implementation of the national regional development policy, plays a key part in imposing territorial cohesion and urban development on all sectoral European policies and reducing the economic, social and demographic imbalances between regions. “Since the beginning of our EU membership up to date and only under programs under MRDPW management, our country has access to resources of over BGN 7 billion for implementation of infrastructure projects with which we have significantly changed our country over the past 10 years. In 2007-2013, 1,104 projects worth over BGN 3 billion were implemented under OPRG. 890 educational infrastructure buildings, 138 social infrastructure buildings, 72 cultural infrastructure buildings, and 66 healthcare facilities were renovated. 157 multi-family residential buildings and 2,203 homes were renovated. 1,221 km of roads were rehabilitated. 145 tourist sites and 10 cultural monuments of national and international importance were supported; 108 regional tourist products were developed. More than BGN 624 million of the resource of this programming period were spent in overhaul and retrofitting of vocational high schools and other schools. “We can achieve better results in different fields only through strong and adequate education, so we have made this our top priority and the main direction of investment,” Nikolova stated.

Deputy Minister Denitsa Nikolova noted that the benefits of Bulgaria’s membership in the EU were numerous. “Achievements should not be limited and measured only in numbers. To a great extent, the benefit lies in the perception and feeling of being free, to think, feel and develop without barriers or limitations. One of the most important benefits is that EU membership provides opportunities and new perspectives for young people. They can think, dream and develop freely. They have access to knowledge, technology, and experience – that’s one thing previous generations never had, Deputy Minister Nikolova said. “We wish young Bulgarians could study, live, work and develop in a peaceful, safe, and modern environment. To be enthusiastic, motivated and build on what we have achieved,” Nikolova added.