Deputy Minister Hristov Discusses Development of Regional Policy and Opportunities for Co-operation with Deputy Minister of the Republic of Northern Macedonia Zoran Dimitrovski

Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Zahari Hristov discussed the development of regional policy and opportunities for co-operation and sharing experiences for capacity building with Deputy Minister of Local Self-Government of the Republic of Northern Macedonia Zoran Dimitrovski and State Secretary of the Ministry of Local Self-Government of the Republic of Macedonia Northern Macedonia Kiril Partalov.

Deputy Minister Hristov is visiting the town of Strumica, Republic of Northern Macedonia, in connection with the preparation and implementation of the joint cross-border co-operation programme Interreg, funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Union's Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance.

During the visit, key steps were agreed for the successful implementation of the Klepalo border checkpoint between the municipalities of Strumyani and Berovo, as a strategic project in the cross-border co-operation programme Interreg Republic of Bulgaria - Republic of Northern Macedonia for the period 2021-2027, which will provide new opportunities and incentives to enhance co-operation and exchange.

During his visit to the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Zahari Hristov inspected several sites implemented with funds under the program during the programming period 2014-2020, including the monastery "St. Leontiy”, the village of Vodocha , and the kindergarten “Sonce” in Novo Selo.

The Deputy Regional Minister reported the high pace of implementation of the programme, under which the funds were fully agreed and for the implementation of joint projects to improve the environment, tourism and competitiveness of the cross-border region 14.5 million euros were paid to beneficiaries, which is 74 % of the total budget of this instrument.