site.btaMPs Ratify Agreement for Bulgaria's Participation in OECD South East Europe Regional Programme

Bulgaria’s National Assembly Wednesday ratified an agreement for Bulgaria's participation in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) South East Europe Regional Programme that involves a voluntary financial contribution of EUR 100,000. The ratification bill passed at second reading with 137 votes in favor, 41 against, and 10 abstentions. 

The bill was approved at first reading on March 13, 2025.

Vazrazhdane MPs opposed Bulgaria's participation in the OECD regional cooperation programme. “The total amount we will spend this year on all such partnership programmes with the OECD is almost BGN 1 million,” party leader Kostadin Kostadinov said. 

“Bulgaria's joining this organization will bring nothing but a drain on the state budget,” Kostadinov said. In his words, the funds would be better allocated for public transport in Varna, for instance, rather than being “thrown away on an organization from which Bulgaria would gain nothing and would only contribute.“