site.btaBulgaria Could Receive Additional EUR 2 Bln under Next Multiannual Financial Framework - MEP Novakov

Bulgaria could receive an increase of nearly 20% in funding from the individual EU Member States in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, which amounts to some EUR 2 billion extra, Andrey Novakov, an MEP of GERB/EPP, told the Bulgarian News Agency on Wednesday. He noted that the proposal was made with his involvement and in cooperation with other MEPs.

Novakov is one of three European Parliament rapporteurs for a new regulation on a European megafund, through which future cohesion policy will be implemented and over EUR 780 billion will be distributed after 2027. The funds will cover areas such as economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture, fisheries, as well as security and prosperity.

Cohesion policy is undergoing its most significant reform to date. Funding is expected to be provided through a single national plan, modelled after the Recovery and Resilience Plan, with the resources tied to the implementation of reforms and specific targets, including in the fields of ecology and high technology. Novakov added that over the next seven years, the European Union will increase its investments in science, innovation, defence and transport infrastructure.

In the context of security, the rapporteur noted that Bulgaria, as part of NATO’s eastern flank, must develop its defence capacity. The rapporteur pointed to completed projects under the SAFE programme, including for IRIS-T air defence systems and maritime equipment. In his view, it is important for the country to use its own industry so that the funds remain in the economy, rather than being exported abroad. He expressed hope that political instability and frequent elections in the country would not hinder the absorption of funds, as happened with the Recovery Plan. According to him, it is critically important for the next regular government to act in sync with the European Council to defend the requested budget increase.

“Everything is in our hands,” he said, noting that Bulgarian MEPs should be seen as national capital to be utilized. “And not, as often happened with the change of every government, while we get to know each other and figure out who can do what for Bulgaria, or, dictated by political bias, we did not work well together and there was no communication with the administration in Sofia,” Novakov added.

In his words, a feature of the new parliamentary majority in Bulgaria is the limited number of individuals with experience in European institutions. Novakov called on those who will soon enter the country’s government to trust what has been achieved so far, to seek support, and not to take a vengeful approach.

“We have reached the point of managing the damage, rather than looking for the benefits,” he said, referring to earlier delays, and urged for a swift adjustment to the new reality of European funding.