EUR 19.6 million will be invested in tourism, infrastructure, economic activities and environmental protection under the Bulgaria - Turkey Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2021-2027. Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works and Head of the Managing Authority of the Programme Yura Vitanova and Bulent Özcan, Director General of the Directorate General of "Financial Cooperation and Project Implementation" at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey and representative of the National Authority of the Programme, presented symbolic vouchers for each project to representatives of the project partners. The contracts for them have already been signed.
“We are launching the implementation of 30 projects of municipalities, non-governmental organizations and businesses. I hope that today's projects will also be perceived as an investment in future partnership“, said Deputy Minister Vitanova to those present. And she informed that 100% of the program's resources have been activated, with the agreed funds reaching 74%. She thanked the team of the Managing Authority, the National Authority and the Joint Secretariat for the achieved result and the efforts made. “I believe that with these projects we will be closer to the people in the region of Yambol, Haskovo, Burgas, Edirne and Kırklareli. Thanks to the territorial “bottom-up” approach and the measures for the real sector – micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of the local economy, we were able to select projects that meet the needs of the local community and business“, the Deputy Regional Minister also said in his welcoming speech.
The Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey noted that cross-border cooperation programs are important tools that promote convergence with the societies of neighboring countries, and the program between Bulgaria and Turkey contributes to establishing solidarity, sustainable development and shared prosperity not only between the two countries, but also between the peoples of the cross-border region.
6.3 million euros of the funds will be invested in promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the transition to a circular and resource-efficient economy. The funding is for 16 of the projects and is under Priority 1 “Environmentally Friendly Cross-Border Region“ of the program. Beneficiaries are companies from the food industry, metalworking, IT sector, cosmetics, woodworking, hospitality and glass production. Thanks to the funds, waste in the processing process will be reduced and its utilization will increase. Solar panels, thermal insulation, replacement of joinery and lighting will be installed on buildings with established need. It is planned to introduce energy management systems, optimize production processes with the introduction of modern and innovative technologies.
The remaining financial resource - 13.3 million euros, is under the second priority "Integrated development of the cross-border region" and is for 14 projects. Their implementation will ensure significant investments in tourism, infrastructure and economic activities in 13 Bulgarian municipalities - Burgas, Kameno, Karnobat, Malko Tarnovo, Pomorie, Sredets, Dimitrovgrad, Harmanli, Svilengrad, Topolovgrad, Yambol, Tundzha and Straldzha. Archaeological and cultural sites in the border region of Bulgaria and Turkey will be renovated and adapted for tourist visits. Thanks to the funding, the tourism potential will be increased through new tourist products and services and improvement of the business environment. Beneficiaries are representatives of municipalities, academic and educational institutions, community centers, non-profit organizations, small and medium-sized businesses.
At a meeting between the Managing Authority of the program and the National Authority, Deputy Minister Vitanova, representatives of the Directorate "Management of Territorial Cooperation" of the MRDPW as the Managing Authority, Mr. Bulent Özcan, Ms. Ovünç Güneş - Head of the Department "Cross-Border Cooperation" in the Directorate "Financial Cooperation and Project Implementation" and Mr. Ahmet Babis from the Embassy of Turkey discussed the progress of the program. Both sides noted the positive results that have been achieved and the good cooperation at the institutional level. "We are reaching agreement on all issues under the program between Bulgaria and Turkey, and good communication is a prerequisite for its implementation to proceed at a rapid pace," said Deputy Minister Vitanova during the meeting. She noted that the teams of both countries are coping with the challenges that have arisen during the program. Bulent Özcan emphasized that the efforts made in the last few years are being crowned with success and the program is one of the most successful of its kind implemented in cross-border regions in Europe. The two gave assurances that they can count on mutual support for the implementation of the program.