10.07.2012

The requests sent by the Certifying Authority (National Fund Directorate, Ministry of Finance) to the EC for interim payments under the Operational Programmes, the cross-border cooperation programmes - EU external borders and ISPA Programme amount to BGN 871,226,746.

During the period the Certifying Authority has made 39 on-the-spot checks of Managing Authorities, intermediate bodies and beneficiaries to verify the eligibility and regularity of expenses. Each on-the-spot check of programme management and implementation aims to prevent errors under the projects. The checks represent a working tool whereby the Certifying Authority makes recommendations for improving the control environment, including for optimization and simplification of reporting focused on reducing the administrative burden at beneficiary level.

The cooperation with all participants in the project implementation process together with the financial results at the end of the first half of the year are indicative of the key role played by the Certifying Authority in ensuring stability, effectiveness and predictability of the EU public funds management system at the service of beneficiaries and in support of the economy.