BTA :: Implementation of Recovery and Resilience Plan Is Going Well

Implementation of Recovery and Resilience Plan Is Going Well - Deputy PM Donchev

Nikolay Zabov

Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev, Sofia, September 25, 2025 (BTA Photo/Milena Stoykova)

Sofia,

25.09.2025 11:41

(BTA)

At the start of Thursday's Cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev commented on the implementation of the projects under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), saying that the government is pursuing the ambitious deadline of August 2026, which is why "political storms" should not be allowed to slow down the pace of implementation. Donchev reported that the implementation of the RRP is going well.

The Minister said that this is the most important message that ministers should convey to beneficiaries—Bulgarian municipalities, small and medium-sized enterprises, agencies, and non-governmental organizations—that are implementing projects is to carry out those projects.

Commenting on the Renew Europe group's urging the European Commission to freeze EU funds "until Sofia stops weaponizing institutions against opponents", Donchev stated that this move should not be underestimated, as Renew Europe is a significant political formation with influence over European institutions. The move came in response to Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev's continued detention over charges of corruption and participation in an organized crime group.

Donchev opened the meeting of the Council of Ministers on Thursday in the absence of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, who is in New York City for the UN General Assembly. The Deputy Prime Minister was adamant that funds to cover project costs, both from the government to beneficiaries and from the European Commission to Bulgaria, will be available.

Donchev continued: "One of the first tasks of this government eight months ago was to rescue the RRP. Incredible efforts were made, which were largely successful. Investments were reorganized because many of them had been actually impossible. The plan was renegotiated with the European Commission. The most important thing this government did was to speed up payments and project implementation."

/KK/