BULGARIA ABSORBED 11% OF EU FUNDS FOR 2007-2013

Bulgaria has managed to absorb 11% of the total amount of EU money slated for it for the 2007-2013 period, according to EU Funds Minister Tomislav Donchev.

Donchev predicted that by the end of 2011 the rate of absorption will reach 20%, and said he expected several payments for large EU-funded projects in Bulgaria in the coming months such as the Trakiya highway and the Sofia Metro.

Donchev took part in a round table on the experience of Bulgaria and Poland with the absorption of EU money together with former EU Commussioner and current head of the European Parliament Committee on Regional Development Danuta Huebner.

"Bulgaria's priority now is to move as fast as possible but the results of having EU funding should not amount only to roads and railways; this money should also be used for education and to help the business sector," Donchev told Radio K2.

The minister whose job is to coordinate the absorption of EU money admitted that Bulgaria has serious difficulties in making good use of the EU money in two sectors - transport and water.

He pointed out the complexity of the procedures often involving several Bulgarian institutions.