27/09/2011
According to Monika Panayotova one of the guidelines of the Bulgarian European policy is aimed at adapting the national parliament to the requirements of the Lisbon Treaty.
Bulgarian Parliament set priorities in its European policy based on "Europe 2020" strategy. This is the fundamental document of the European Union, which in there are set out views about the future of member states, the main objectives of the common European policy and how they will be achieved. In an interview for Radio Bulgaria the Chairwoman of the Commission on European Affairs and oversight of the EU funds in the National Assembly Monika Panayotova said that Bulgarian European policy has two main directions:
“One is related to the adaptation of the Bulgarian national parliament to the requirements of the Lisbon Treaty – she said - After its adoption / on 1st December 2009 /, our role as national parliament is now very important. In fact the acts of the EU will come from the European Commission directly to the national parliaments and they may, within eight weeks to issue an opinion if they have comments on them. After this procedure is passed, these acts will go to the European Parliament. That’s why our role is very important here to have the necessary capacity to meet these expectations. The question is also associated with the important bilateral parliamentary cooperation between members of different national parliaments in the EU in order to support the opinion of the National Assembly given on a specific bill at European level.
The other line is connected with the priorities of Bulgaria in the context of the european strategy - energy, regional development and agriculture. In these areas sustainable, intelligent and inclusive growth is expected. It will be implemented after compulsory consultations with representatives of NGOs, employers and trade unions. The Committee on European Affairs in the National Assembly created a special committee for this public debate. The work that stands ahead us is to start talks on new EU Operational Programmes for the period 2014 - 2020".
What is new in these programs?
“In the previous period of planning the operational programs in Bulgaria, the disadvantage was that they tried to cover all portfolios. Under this approach, the results are not so tangible, because financial support is used in almost all directions - from infrastructure to environmental protection, the administrative capacity of human resources, etc. According to me the right way is to judge clearly what will be our priorities in the use of EU funds. Whether it will be infrastructure, education, competitive business environment or other, but must be fixed so that the means to be concentrated on those objectives. Another point is when you use money in the current operational programs, as well as coming from the new operational period, to have an integrated approach and synergy between them. That is not to be viewed separately in each operational program but they should complement each other. This is one of the committee's recommendations to our executive authorities in the country. In this connection by the end of January next year, we shall prepare an annual report on the utilization of EU funds in Bulgaria."
It is known that in terms of absorption of EU money our country has delayed by three years. The percentage of the invested money to specific projects is very small, but the opportunities are great. Since the beginning of this year, the process was accelerated by the ease of the procedures, with control over spending and things are going in good direction, also said Panayotova. What can engage in parliament through its legislative work in this regard?
What we set as a priority in the National Assembly, is the creation of Law on the European funds - she stressed. – Now a research is ordered about how this area is regulated in different member states, so we could borrow best practices. The goal is not to have separate secondary legislation but a complete act that will increase control, simplify procedures and process as a whole.
Since 2011 in 28 districts of the country will run data centers. There beneficiaries (mainly municipalities) will have direct access to information on European funds and how to apply for them. The online system also provides the chance for greater information and transparency. That is, to make the right steps, but their impact will have to wait.
According to Monika Panayotova one of the guidelines of the Bulgarian European policy is aimed at adapting the national parliament to the requirements of the Lisbon Treaty.
Bulgarian Parliament set priorities in its European policy based on "Europe 2020" strategy. This is the fundamental document of the European Union, which in there are set out views about the future of member states, the main objectives of the common European policy and how they will be achieved. In an interview for Radio Bulgaria the Chairwoman of the Commission on European Affairs and oversight of the EU funds in the National Assembly Monika Panayotova said that Bulgarian European policy has two main directions:
“One is related to the adaptation of the Bulgarian national parliament to the requirements of the Lisbon Treaty – she said - After its adoption / on 1st December 2009 /, our role as national parliament is now very important. In fact the acts of the EU will come from the European Commission directly to the national parliaments and they may, within eight weeks to issue an opinion if they have comments on them. After this procedure is passed, these acts will go to the European Parliament. That’s why our role is very important here to have the necessary capacity to meet these expectations. The question is also associated with the important bilateral parliamentary cooperation between members of different national parliaments in the EU in order to support the opinion of the National Assembly given on a specific bill at European level.
The other line is connected with the priorities of Bulgaria in the context of the european strategy - energy, regional development and agriculture. In these areas sustainable, intelligent and inclusive growth is expected. It will be implemented after compulsory consultations with representatives of NGOs, employers and trade unions. The Committee on European Affairs in the National Assembly created a special committee for this public debate. The work that stands ahead us is to start talks on new EU Operational Programmes for the period 2014 - 2020".
What is new in these programs?
“In the previous period of planning the operational programs in Bulgaria, the disadvantage was that they tried to cover all portfolios. Under this approach, the results are not so tangible, because financial support is used in almost all directions - from infrastructure to environmental protection, the administrative capacity of human resources, etc. According to me the right way is to judge clearly what will be our priorities in the use of EU funds. Whether it will be infrastructure, education, competitive business environment or other, but must be fixed so that the means to be concentrated on those objectives. Another point is when you use money in the current operational programs, as well as coming from the new operational period, to have an integrated approach and synergy between them. That is not to be viewed separately in each operational program but they should complement each other. This is one of the committee's recommendations to our executive authorities in the country. In this connection by the end of January next year, we shall prepare an annual report on the utilization of EU funds in Bulgaria."
It is known that in terms of absorption of EU money our country has delayed by three years. The percentage of the invested money to specific projects is very small, but the opportunities are great. Since the beginning of this year, the process was accelerated by the ease of the procedures, with control over spending and things are going in good direction, also said Panayotova. What can engage in parliament through its legislative work in this regard?
What we set as a priority in the National Assembly, is the creation of Law on the European funds - she stressed. – Now a research is ordered about how this area is regulated in different member states, so we could borrow best practices. The goal is not to have separate secondary legislation but a complete act that will increase control, simplify procedures and process as a whole.
Since 2011 in 28 districts of the country will run data centers. There beneficiaries (mainly municipalities) will have direct access to information on European funds and how to apply for them. The online system also provides the chance for greater information and transparency. That is, to make the right steps, but their impact will have to wait.
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