Minister Gagauzov Had a Meeting with Representatives of EBRD

The work on the integrated water projects for the cities of Burgas and Ruse has been going very well. That was clarified at the meeting between the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Asen Gagauzov and the Director of “Municipal Structure” – London in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Mr. Henry Russell. The projects with the both water supply and sewage (WSS) companies have been developing successfully, was the firm position of the EBRD representatives. They insisted for faster preparation of the legislation frame related with the regulation of the WSS sector so that the water supply companies can develop their business plans. The total amount of the projects for the two cities is MEUR 67 800 000 of which MEUR 46 800 000 for Ruse and MEUR 21 000 000 for Burgas. Of these the EBRD loan for WSS Burgas amounts to MEUR 11 000 000 and for WSS Ruse – to MEUR 8 000 000. Presently has been signed an Agreement for a loan from EBRD with WSS Burgas with the support of the Council of Ministers and MRDPW by supporting letters and from the Municipality of Burgas by an Agreement for municipal support for the project. Signing of an Agreement for a loan from EBRD with WSS Ruse is at hand at the beginning of 2006. 48 % of the means for the integrated water project for the city of Burgas has been envisaged under ISPA Implementation Program and the rest 52 % - with a loan from EBRD. The project envisages rehabilitation and enlarging of parts of the WSS net including rehabilitation of a pressure reservoir “Izgrev” and construction of a tertiary step of the existing sewage treatment plant. The integrated water project for Ruse has been financed with 75 % by ISPA program, 8 % - national co-financing and 17 % - a loan from EBRD. A new sewage treatment plant will be built under the project as well as rehabilitation and widening of parts of the WSS net. The integrated water projects for Ruse and Burgas were approved by the ISPA Management Committee in Brussels on 8th November 2005. The signing of the Financing Memoranda for the both cities is expected to take place by the end of 2005. Public Relations and International Activities Directorate