Regional Development and Public Works Ministry Experts at Session of Joint Steering Committee on Bulgarian-Greek Cross-Border Cooperation Programmes - Phare CBC/INTERREG III A

A Joint Steering Committee on the Programmes for Cross-Border Cooperation between Bulgaria and Greece – Phare Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC)/INTERREG III A - held its first meeting in Thessaloniki today. Participating in the session were Deputy Regional Development and Public Works Minister Petya Gegova, the Secretary General of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Aris Papadopoulos, experts of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, INTERREG III officers and representatives of the local governments in Smolyan, Haskovo and Kurdjali. The Joint Steering Committee will be in charge of the selection, coordination and monitoring of projects funded by Phare CBC/INTERREG III A. The session discussed and approved rules of procedure of the Committee. The agenda was dominated by projects for cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria and Greece, and the two sides exchanged information on the implementation of such projects so far. The participants noted the substantial progress achieved in the recent months in the implementation of Bulgarian-Greek cross-border cooperation projects. They approved proposals, which will be financed under a Financial Memorandum 2003. Particular attention was devoted to the Long-term indicative programme with the Joint Programme Document that allocates the funds according to the priorities and approved measures. The participants in the meeting expressed satisfaction with the spirit of constructive dialogue during the talks. The two sides signed a protocol of resolution of the first session of the Joint Steering Committee on the Programmes for Cross-Border Cooperation between Bulgaria and Greece – Phare CBC/INTERREG III A. Public Relations and International Activity Directorate