12.02.2013

\"Bulgaria\'s interests at this time of historic reduction in the EU budget have been defended.\" This is what Deputy Minister of Finance Karina Karaivanova said in the morning programme of BNT and added that this year EU funds would be increased by almost EUR 2 billion. Our country managed to secure an increase in the cohesion policy package, in the CAP package and in the compensation for Kozloduy NPP. She reminded that Bulgaria was now the biggest net beneficiary of EU funds. The three-year budget framework adopted also provides the relevant national co-financing and from this point of view there should be no worries whatsoever, the Deputy Minister assured in response to the question whether the budget could deal with the increased EU funds.

Throughout the next programming period our country will have more resources for investment in SMEs and for innovations. There is a new Operational Programme Education and Science approved, she explained.

Bulgaria is expected to catch up with the average EU levels of direct payments for Bulgarian farmers in 2016. \"As set forth in the relevant regulations, Bulgaria has committed itself to making these payments by June this year. We are planning to make the payments at the end of March or in the beginning of April, said Deputy Minister of Finance Karina Karaivanova.