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EU Funds Absorption Is a Challenge to Bulgaria

Gergana Grancharova
Minister of European Affairs

- Mrs. Grancharova, did you expect that the European Commission will impose sanctions on Bulgaria after the peer review?
- A lot of work was done in the last days and the review proved objective and serious progress. This is the reason why no sanctions were imposed. Agricultural subsidies are not regarded as "money for a rainy day", that the EC would gladly economize. On the contrary - they are meant to support the farming sector in the EU countries. It's important to both Bulgaria and the EC that the money is effectively invested and the Ministry of Agriculture is well aware of this. Some mistakes have certainly been done and this will normally lead to an increase in the number of peer reviews.
- You are now in Brussels where you will meet with European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security Franco Frattini. Is there any possibility that a safeguard clause will be triggered because of Justice and Home Affairs chapter?
- Such a measure has been envisaged for each of the newly-accessed EU countries in the first three years of membership. This is a sensitive issue and common measures are searched for. I've discussed with Commissioner Frattini the plan for action, drafted by the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice. However, we shouldn't underestimate the preparation for Bulgaria's Schengen entry, as well as Bulgaria's immigration and visa policy as it is now a EU member.
- Bulgaria has nearly completed its first year as an EU member, but despite this fact we haven't started to absorb the EU funds yet. Has Bulgaria turned into an EU net donor?
- I don't like speculating with words. Germany and the Netherlands are EU net donors. There are also countries which excel in the absorption of European funds: Denmark, Great Britain and Sweden. Metaphorically speaking, we cannot run before we learn how to walk, i.e. there is a long way ahead of us - a way of training and experience - till we are ready to effectively absorb the money from the  EU funds.

Lyubomira Budakova