Minister Naydenov discussed connectivity, cooperation and housing policy with Minister Attila Ceke during a visit to Romania

"Without developing communications, there can be neither business nor cooperation, including across borders, to the extent we want. The issue of improving communications, including connectivity, and cross-border cooperation between us is a constant one." This was said by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Nikolay Naydenov during a meeting with the Minister of Development, Public Works and Administration of Romania Attila Ceke. Minister Naydenov is visiting our neighboring country to participate in a working meeting on the implementation of the Spatial Planning Act in force therein, which includes a separate chapter on informal settlements, and the results achieved.

"Connectivity is something without which the economies of the countries cannot exist", said Minister Ceke and expressed support for the more active work on the issue to continue.

Attila Ceke pointed out that over 96% of the housing stock in Romania was bought or built by private individuals. Therefore, the state should start a project for the construction of social housing or for young professionals, with Romania waiting for the European program for affordable housing. It is envisaged that its funds will be directed towards providing housing for such needs, as well as for elderly people with small financial opportunities. He added that the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration of Romania is working on informal settlements. The process starts with data collection. As a next step, a funding programme will be developed.

The situation with the housing stock in Bulgaria is similar, said Minister Naydenov. He added that in our country there is an imbalance between abandoned housing due to uneven development of the regions and concentration of new but uninhabited housing in the big cities, as well as lack of municipal housing stock. Therefore, Romania’s experience will be explored in order to find data-driven solutions.

The conversation was attended by the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Romania H.E. Radko Vlaykov and the Head of the Directorate for National Construction Control Eng. Lilyana Petrova.