“Bulgaria has managed to defend its positions related to the EU Danube Strategy before MEPs, European Commission experts, foreign embassies, and media”, Bulgarian Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Rosen Plevneliev, said. The Minister participated in the public debate entitled “Potential of the Danube - river that connects us”, organised by Bulgarian MEP Maria Nedlcheva, member of the European People’s Party, in Brussels during his Mr. Plevneliev’s official visit there. The aim of this unique event, which placed Bulgaria in the focus of the attention of the European Parliament, was to summarize the first stage of the preparation of the strategy, as well as to discuss projects by the 14 countries that participate in the strategy. Bulgaria has made a total of 300 propositions – for improving the quality of the water, for preserving bio-diversity, for development of the transport infrastructure, for integrated environmental policy, etc.
“Bulgaria can be proud of the work done and the methods used in the process of preparing the strategy”, Rosen Plevneliev said in relation to the number of meetings and public discussions in many Bulgarian towns along the Danube. The EC gave a high assessment to our work.”
Bulgaria already has a plan and we have managed to accomplish some tasks, Mr. Plevneliev pointed out. As an example he gave a project for construction of a cycling path that would pass along tourist landmarks of 5 Danubean countries and which will provide opportunities for spa, wine, and cultural tourism.
“Bulgaria has firmly stated its will to be a leader among the participants in the Danube Strategy, in relation to the spheres of tourism and culture”, Mr. Plevneliev said. “These spheres are our priority. We think that the development of the Danubean regions can be helped through all the different types of tourism and activities related to them. Big infrastructure projects are also a priority. Bulgaria plans to build two more bridges across the Danube. We know what the Danubean regions need and we are working actively to accomplish our tasks.”
What follows next?
“Negotiations will be straightened out by September”, Mr. Plevneliev says. “Bulgaria has discussed its plans in Brussels and some of the texts were corrected. Selection of the project must finish by the end of 2010. Implementation of the strategy will start in the beginning of 2011 when Hungary will take the presidency of the EU. I hope a number of good projects will be implemented in the period 2014-2020”, Mr. Plevneliev concludes.
English version: Alexander Markov
