The EU policies in the fields of energy, agriculture and regional development will be priority areas in the work of the Bulgarian government during the Belgian six-month rotation in the chair of the European Union ending December 2010, was the highlight of the report on this country’s participation in the decision-making process within the Community. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov presented the report September 2 to the Bulgarian MPs.
“We regard the security of energy supplies, energy efficiency and the development of new technologies as basic elements of the new Action Plan of the European Energy Policy,” Borissov pointed out. “In the debate on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy in 2013 Bulgaria will uphold the stand that direct payments are a compulsory component that will have to be implemented further. We support the initiative for the drafting of a macroregional strategy for the Danube region as a tool for the implementation of territorial cohesion within the European Union.”
Efficient absorption of EU funding is another priority for Bulgaria. Already improvement has been registered under all European programmes, the head of the Bulgarian government argued. In his words as of August 31, Bulgaria had utilized more than EUR 94 million. He said that his government had plans for deficit not to exceed 2.5% in 2011, 1.5% in 2012, and 1% in 2013. The removal of the dire consequences of the economic and financial crunch, and the implementation of the new priorities and objectives under the Europe 2020 strategy were also on the governmental agenda until December 2010. The Council of Ministers already approved a timetable for urgent measures in line with the EC recommendations under the Mechanism for Cooperation and Verification for Bulgaria and Romania regarding the judiciary, and anti-corruption and organized crime throughout the period August – December 2010.
Over the preceding six months, i.e. during the Spanish presidency of the European Union that expired in end-June, Bulgaria had managed to successfully withstand its national causes in the decision-making process within the Community, Borissov maintained, and added that the country abided by its commitments under the enforcement of EU legislation, and maintained constructive cooperation with the European Union’s executive body.
The objectives of the Bulgarian cabinet of ministers over the next 10 years are to increase investment in research and development to 2% of GDP, to curb greenhouse gases by 20% on 1990 figures, to raise employment to 76% in the age group 20-64, and to reduce poverty. However, the response on the part of the parliamentary floors of the leftist Coalition for Bulgaria, and the centre and right–of-centre Movement for Rights and Freedoms and the Blue Coalition were similar in vein.
“The government should assume the responsibility to introduce a transparent public debate on the country’s national causes under the Europe 2020 and Bulgaria 2020 strategies,” Sergei Stanishev, leader of the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party, pointed out.
How are we possibly going to attain the goals set by the European Union for a 3% funding for research, development and innovation, provided that the funding for scientific research in the 2010 budget had been reduced threefold on 2009 figures, Iskra Mihaylova of the opposition Movement for Rights and Freedoms justly inquired.
The strategies within the Europe 2020 plan ought to become a national strategic framework, Ivan Kostov, co-chair of the rightist Blue Coalition said, and added,
“One of the reasons why the Blue Coalition supports the GERB government is the fact that there has been a positive trend in EU fund absorption, and above all, as regards the resumption of dialogue, communication and transparency while working on joint projects with EU partners.”
English version by Radostin Zhelev
