site.btaRegional Development Minister: Bulgaria Starts From Scratch Work to Secure EU Funds for Just Energy Transition

Caretaker Regional Development Minister Angelina Boneva said on Thursday that the data on the implementation of Bulgaria's regional development programme are not encouraging. She was speaking to Bulgarian journalists in Brussels, where she arrived for an event organized by the European Commission.

In Boneva's words, there is "zero absorption" under the Just Transition Fund. The European Commission has called for work to begin at a very intensive pace. All options are open for Bulgaria to try to secure the funds under the programme for this year, she said, adding that her Ministry will have to work at full speed to gain EUR 600 million in EU funds.

Boneva said Bulgaria will participate in the European Commission's new plan for investments in EU eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. The Commission plans to secure nearly EUR 28 billion in private and public investments in Bulgaria and in eight more countries in the eastern part of the EU.

Commenting on the dismissal of Yordan Valchev, Chair of the Management Board of the Road Infrastructure Agency, Boneva said the reasons were complex. The main issue was a lack of communication with her as minister and with the public over traffic arrangements for the upcoming Easter holidays. She added that the aim is to ensure smooth travel for Bulgarians and Greeks.