Monika Panayotova: The report of Brussels will acknowledge the right steps of GERB in the fight against corruption

19/07/10

An interview by Lili Granitska for Dnevnik Newspaper

How did you find out that you are becoming Chairperson of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds?

- My candidacy was discussed in a meeting of the Executive Commission of GERB. My colleagues informed me after the meeting of the decision. It was a surprise for me, but I aware of the exceptional responsibility, which I undertake, heading this commission.

Did you have a meeting with the Prime Minister Boyko Borissov?

- I am in contact with him, because I am responsible for the work of the youth organisation of GERB and the international relations of the party. In this sense it was not needed to have a meeting in advance.

So the prime minister didn’t ask you, for example “Monika, what would you say to become head of the European fund commission”?

- Yes, he asked me after that. All in all the decision was of the whole commission, because the Prime Minister Borissov was in the parliament before that at a meeting of a commission. So that is a mutual decision.

Since when do you have interest in management of European funds, because so far you were not a member of this commission and do you keep your spot in the Foreign Policy and Defence Committee?

- I am keeping my spot in the Foreign Policy and Defence Committee. During the first defining of the composition of the commissions the leadership of GERB, had decided that I need to be in that commission. I haven’t separated myself from the European thematic, because the foreign policy of the country is connected with the foreign policy of the EU.

Separately I have worked on projects connected with the EU. Before I became a member of GERB I was in a non-government organisation the “Economic Policy Institute”. We used to work with projects with the countries from Southeastern Europe with a highlight on membership of countries from the Western Balkans. Parallel with that I graduated an MA on management of projects with a MA thesis on the topic of “The culture factor during management of international projects”.

Have you worked on European projects, connected directly with Bulgaria?

- The Economic Policy Institute has a realized project on the operative programme “Administrative capacity”, as well as a number of projects, connected with our European integration. That is why I am saying that I haven’t strayed from this thematic I just wasn’t in this commission until this moment.

Which will be the first things you will do in the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds?

- In the moment I am in a period of adaptation, I am familiarizing myself with the priorities of the past chairperson. The report of the European Commission for the progress of Bulgaria is forthcoming, as well as the report of the parliamentary commission regarding European funding for their assimilation during the first six months of 2010.

The first challenge, which is up ahead is connected when the Lisbon Treaty takes effect and the role of the national parliaments. Then they will have a key role in the forming of the jurisdiction of the EU. When a normative act comes it will pass through us and the resource commissions in the national parliaments.

In the frame of eight weeks we will have to give a standpoint, in case we have regards in a specific normative act. If one third of the countries members of the European Union don’t pass the bill, it will go back to the European Commission. Only when there is an agreement the bill will go to the European Parliament. From this viewpoint as a capacity and the on time reaction this is a challenge before us a national parliament. The other challenge is connected with the control of the European funds. It is of great importance to accelerate the payment of the operative programs. With the creation of the position of a minister of the European funds a considerable progress can be seen regarding the payments and the negotiation on projects.

For July 2009 when we took the governance of the country, the payments were 0.67% and now they are 4.6%. On negotiations we are at 43% of our budget resources, when last year at this point we were at 10%. There is progress, but our aims are higher – the payments to reach between 10% and 18%, and the negotiated resources – up to 50% until the end of the year. It is a matter of time for the things to happen.

Could you say what you understand by considerable progress in the assimilation of funds, because visibly it is not felt?

- For July 2009 the payments were 0.67% now they are 4.6%. This is a clear increase.

Yes with one ostensible payment on the initiative “JEREMIE” of 200 million euro, but which has not reached the final receivers. In the same time payment to business in the “Competitiveness” programme is insignificant.

- There is a great progress regarding communication and information. A system called ISMM, which follows the spent resources was created and now works. There is no way for the things to happen straight away with a magic wand. For “JEREMIE” as far as I know, if the government hadn’t reacted, we would have risked to lose the 200 million euro.

Now we have kept the opportunity for them to reach the final receivers. We have lost over a year during the starting of the operative programs. When I was in the non-government sector we waited everyday for them to be started. So we lost a lot of time from the beginning, because there wasn’t the needed administrative capacity and the political will.

You said that the institute, for which you have worked, has done a project on “Administrative Capacity”, which was one successful program in the past government. Now four months there haven’t been any payments, is this normal?

- I haven’t directly followed “Administrative Capacity” during the past months, but Minister Donchev states, that its indexes are good. When the Committee on European Affairs and the Oversight of the European Funds finishes the report for the first half of the year, the progress and the flaws will be marked. The report will be objective.

What do you expect from the report of the European Commission for Bulgaria?

- I am an optimist, because the communication with Brussels has been improved. We are doing everything in full transparency. We are trying to avoid the so called effect of surprise, which happened before. One of the priorities of GERB during the European elections was improving the image of the country. We have made significant steps in this direction.

This can be seen in the correspondence of Minister Donchev with the European Commission. The Bulgarian European Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva is accepted really well. It is a pleasure, when I go to Brussels and in informal conversations they associate Bulgaria with the Bulgarian European Commissioner. They say “Mrs. Georgieva – a wonderful proposal from the side of Bulgaria”.

In such moments it is a pleasure, that I am from Bulgaria and that the work of our country is being valued. Now forthcoming is the voting for the European diplomatic service. Mrs. Georgieva is one of the deputies of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

We all know that, but according to me it is not connected directly with the work of the commission, which you are heading.

- How is it, not connected? The commission is on European questions and the work of the European Commission, the report of the European Commission and everything, which is happening in Brussels, is directly connected with our work.

You want to say that Mrs. Kristalina Georgieva can influence on the report of the European Commission for Bulgaria?

- Don’t impose things, which I have not said.

Why are you highlighting on this employment?

- I am saying that communication has significantly improved and the image of our country is becoming better. In order to be positive marks in the report it is necessary to have a positive image. I am saying the things real, as they are. I feel them this way going to Brussels. I have traveled before and I know what the attitude towards Bulgaria was.

Can we say then, that in the report of Brussels that is forthcoming for Bulgaria, there will be no surprises for the Bulgarian government?

- The direct contacts, the constant connection with Brussels means that in every stage the commission has a view over what is happening.

I am trying to find out if you are expecting an entirely positive report from Brussels?

- There is no way for it to be entirely positive, because we don’t live in ideal conditions. You know what we discovered as inheritance. We are also in a crisis. The report will be objective and the right steps will be remarked, which have been made in specific sectors, for example for what has always been a priority of the government of GERB – the fight against corruption, internal order and security. This is what I think will happen. What will turn out we will see at the final.

On which questions do you expect critics?

- There is no way for me to say at this point, I can only guess, that regarding jurisdiction there will be remarks. There can never be anything 100% ideal, but tries and steps are made in order for things to improve. These moments need to be remarked.

Regional academy of MGERB “European funds and the way towards them”

19/07/10

A regional academy titled “European funds and the way towards them” took place from the 17th of July to the 18th of July 2010 and gathered youths from MGERB, from Sofia, Pernik, Radomir, Kustendil and Blagoevgrad.

The event was opened by Monika Panayotova – Chairwoman of MGERB and Member of Parliament in the 41st National Assembly, Irena Sokolova – Member of Parliament in the 41st National Assembly from the 14th majoritarian election region, Ivo Petrov – regional coordinator of GERB Pernik, Joanna Dochevska – coordinator of MGERB Sofia and Denislav Zahariev – coordinator of MGERB Pernik.

A lecturer in the first part of the training was Joanna Ilieva – Head expert associate in the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds, who showed the participants the different programs, who allow the European funding for Bulgaria, as well as the way for candidacy for them.

The second part of the training was divided into two parts. The first part was lectured by Georgi Pramatarov – Expert “European Programs”, whose lection was on “European money in Bulgarian agriculture”, and familiarised the participants with the “Program for the development of the agriculture regions”, and the expectations and steps, which the projects for the program pass through development and candidacy.

A big interest among the participants was the lecture of Monika Panayotova – Chairwoman of MGERB and Chairperson of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds in the 41st National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria on the topic of “Communication – from what to say to when to say it”, in which the youths managed to familiarise themselves with non-verbal communication, the principles of successful behaviour and ways to communicate in front of the media.

The program ended with a look on the used election campaigns clips in the different countries.

Monika Panayotova, Member of Parliament from GERB: GERB showed, that there aren’t ours and yours in the party

15/07/10

So far there was a lack of moral in politics we are taking steps to build it. We will be active participants in the daily order of the European Union

- Miss Panayotova today (Editors note – yesterday) you were chosen as Chairperson of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds. What will be the priorities of your work?

- You know that, so far I haven’t been a member of this commission and because of this I will need a little time for adaptation. As a whole, the course, which is followed by the government, is to be an active participant in the daily order of the European Union. After the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty the role of the national parliaments is exceptionally important and this will be a challenge towards us, as members of parliament. Before the normative acts go for examination and voting in the resource commissions of the European Parliament, they will go through the national parliaments. So in the frame of a couple of weeks we will need to react with a standpoint. The other thing that the commission will be engaged actively, is regarding the control on the European funds. That is why the direct contact with the resource minister Mr. Tomislav Donchev is of exceptional importance. You know that the main targets in this direction are to accelerate payments, to be prepared many new projects, so that in practice the structural and cohesion fund can be used as an anti-crisis measure. After all it’s a question of fresh money and we need to do everything possible, so that they can go into our economy. Particularly now in a period of a crisis, from another side, it is very dynamical, which is happening in Brussels. You know that the foreign policy and the policy for security, is being reorganized after the Lisbon Treaty. So we will have a lot of work, also with the Foreign Policy and Defence Committee. Now is the moment, because from one side the new conception for NATO is being prepared, and from another the new changes for the European policy for security and defence are being introduced. You know that ¾ of the member countries of NATO are members of the European Union, that’s why we will be having joint actions with the resource commission in this direction. It is very important to work as a team, to have coordination and good synchronization with our representatives in the European Parliament, as well, because the area is exceptionally dynamical. There are a lot of changes in Brussels and the active participation of Bulgaria is important.

- As a main drawback was pointed the tempo of assimilation of the European money. Are the things being cleared in this direction?

- Yes. Definitely there is progress with the creation of the position of Mr. Donchev. If a comparison is made, during July 2009 we had payments for 0.67%, while now they are 4.6%. The difference is tangible. The target, which we set forth, is there to be payments between 10% and 11%, which according to the LOTHAR system for accounting of the financial progress of these programs is an achievement. Control over the assimilation must be achieved. Definitely now, there is a change in communication with Brussels. This which we are headed towards is there to be complete transparency and things getting done during direct dialogue. Only in this way will the possibilities for the “unpleasant surprise” effect be eliminated, which we have been witnesses of during the past government. Because of that our country had a negative image. That’s why my appeal to the representatives of the socialists in the European Parliament is for them to be representatives of Bulgaria, and to highlight on the national, rather then the party interest. The image of our country is exceptionally important. Nothing can happen, when you don’t have the mark “Bulgaria”.

- Can a law for lobbyism have a positive effect in this direction?

- Yes, I definitely support the creation of such a law. Even before I became a member of GERB, I was in a non-government organisation and there we worked on projects, connected with lobbyism. But according to me at the moment publicly the term lobbyism is interpreted in a not correct way. Lobbyism is characteristic for all democratic countries. When we speak for lobbyism in the positive manner, it needs to be regulated with a law and be legitimate. This means to be connected with the ethical codex and civil control being asserted on lobbyism. And not in the last place – it needs to be exceptionally transparent. When these three things are not fulfilled, then we are not talking about lobbyism, but for corruption. And you know that a main priority for us, as governing is the fight against corruption. That’s why a law for lobbyism on its own is a necessity, but it is not enough. Everything depends on the members of parliament and on inside control.

- How do you assess the legislative activity of this parliament one year into the government of GERB?

- I think we achieved many things in connection for this National Assembly to be regarded as a more responsible institution. According to me there is a great progress regarding discipline of behavior of work in the commissions. Of course the effect can never be 100%, but at least there is a will for that. Now there is striving for a new type of behavior in parliament. Regarding the normative acts the good thing is that everything is happening in exceptional transparency. This, which GERB is doing, is a precedent. Never before have things happened so openly which, creates a delicate atmosphere. Now everyone knows that every action is watched and when you are not playing by the rules, you are sanctioned. We can not account that also in the sphere of defence, inner order and security and education, there have been really reforming laws, which created the normative frame which allowed for the changes in those spheres. In the end the normative act is a starting point for every single thing.

- Which bills remain priorities for the National Assembly?

- A priority is to pass the election codex, because this is an engagement even in our election campaign. We want to end the vice practice for the changes to occur at 12 without 5. In that way the rules will be the same for everyone and we can follow them.

-Have the scandals around GERB during the past couple of weeks and the followed resignations had a negative effect on the party?

- According to me what happened had a rather healing effect. The leadership showed clearly, that there are no ours and yours in the party. There are clear rules and when you don’t follow them, you are sanctioned. The term “new moral” has already turned into a cliché, because I have already said before that there is no new moral. The reason is that so far there was no such in politic and we are taking steps to build it. Till now moral and politics have always been mutually incompatible. We showed that we have a completely different type of behaviour and that we are not doing PR actions. Now there are principles during politic.

- Did GERB really put an end to the vice practice of the placement of political umbrellas?

- I think so. Our actions show that. That’s why I say that this is a precedent. I don’t think that any of the past governing could deny it. You know in what state the country was left in. These unfulfilled contracts for around 2 billion Bulgarian levs, the abuses which were committed… And you see, that the people, who are responsible for all of this, at the moment are members of parliament. Even their own party is not distancing from them.

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Business card
She was born on the 19th of August 1983 in Sofia. She graduates International Economic Relations in the University of National and World Economy with a specialization in “International Project Management”. She is the Chairwoman of MGERB. She was the director of “Projects connected with Society”, in the Economical Policy Institute until 2008. She is chosen as Chairperson of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds.


An interview made by Yana Jordanova for Monitor Newspaper

Monika Panayotova: Lobbyism is not untypical for democratic countries, but needs to be regulated

14/07/10

Lobbyism is not untypical for democratic countries, but it needs to be regulated, it needs to be legitimate, i.e. to have double control – from the side of parliament and from the side of the civil society. That’s what was said in the halls of parliament by the newly elected Chairperson of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds – Monika Panayotova. When lobbyism is not regulated, we speak about corruption. That’s why the next challenge for our parliament will be to create a law for lobbyism and to head out of this etiquette “lobbyism”, because everything is lobbyism on its own, but it needs to be regulated, so it can be transparent, stated Panayotova.

Regarding her new position Panayotova said: “On principle I am a team player, so I will continue to work with a team. This is exceptionally important for me. The commission is exceptionally responsible. After the Lisbon Treaty it will be a big challenge for us as a national parliament to manage to use, that the role of the national parliaments is increasing vastly. We already have an active role in the forging of the EU legislation, so that will be a priority of the adaptation of the work of the National Assembly to the expectations of the Lisbon Treaty”.

She added that she will work in close cooperation with the Minister charged of EU funds management – Tomislav Donchev. Our main priorities are to accelerate the payments and to prepare new projects, so that the resources can be used as an anti-crisis measure which are on the structural and the cohesion fund, said she.

I will give everything, which depends on me, she stated.

Source: "Focus” Agency

A representative of MGERB took part in the third module of the regional program of the Bulgarian School of Politics for 2009/2010 which took place in

21/06/10

The third and last module of the regional program of the Bulgarian School of Politics for 2009/2010 took place from the 17th of June to the 20th of June in Sofia, Bulgaria. The title of the module was “Youth policies and perspectives for regional cooperation on the Balkans”. Youths from Bulgaria, Croatia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro participated. Among the participants were representatives of the youth organisations of the main political parties of the corresponding countries, as well as representatives of the media and non-government organisations. MGERB was represented by Deyan Nikolov – Member of MGERB Sofia.

The module included lections on the following topics: “The Balkans as a web of well governed countries”; “Enlargement of the European Union and integration – opportunities and perspectives for the future”; “Bologna Process – the actual realisation in the Balkan countries up to 2010”; “Freedom of mobility and possible measures of the government for reversing the “flow of brains” and “Intercession and lobbying, as tools for building policies: Practical solutions for the Balkan policy”.

Lecturers were Ambassador: H.E. Mr. Geoffrey Keating – Ambassador of Ireland in Bulgaria, Mr. Svetoslav Malinov – Member of European Parliament, Mr. Zenan Sabanac – lecturer from the Faculty of Science and Mathematics of the University of Sarajevo and Prof. Atanas Gotchev from the department of International Relations of the University of National and World Economy.

During the whole course of the training the participants had the opportunity to work in small groups, to sharpen their ability to work in a team, for creating a plan for solving a specified problem and defending the position of a specific group of the society.

In the end of the module the participants reached a conclusion regarding the final version of the created by them project for a White Book for the youth policies on the Balkans. In the upcoming weeks the Bulgarian School of Politics is scheduled to send this document to institutions, establishments and political parties in all of the countries, which were represented in the Regional program. The White Book contains specific recommendations for the development of youth policies, based on the experience of the different countries on the Balkans.

The regional program of the Bulgarian School of Politics for 2009/2010 was closed with an official ceremony in New Bulgarian University, which was attended by Mrs. Irina Alexieva and the rector of the university Prof. Liudmil Georgiev, the participants received their certificates for the successful completion of the program personally from Mr. Georgi Pirinski – Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

Successful start of the initiative “Open your heart” of MGERB Sofia

20/06/10

On the 19th of June MGERB Sofia started successfully its initiative “Open your heart” with a donation to the home for children without parents “Hristo Botev” in Novo Selo, Vidin region. During their visit, the youths gave the kids clothes, books and toys, collected for over a month. Every child received treats.

The target of the young initiators is to turn “Open your heart” into a practice, gathering as many followers. In the frame of two weeks the formed group in Facebook called “Open your heart”, has gathered around 900 members. After this successful start and the joy in the children’s eyes the organisers are impatient to visit the next social institution.

The organisers of the initiative are MGERB Sofia. The initiative is supported by MGERB Vidin, Entrepreneurs GERB Sofia, GERB Lozenets – Sofia, GERB Oborishte – Sofia, members of parliament from the 41st National Assembly – Monika Panayotova – Chairwoman of MGERB and Lyubomila Stanislavova – Coordinator of MGERB Vidin, Mr. Kalin Kamenov – Deputy Chairman of the National Agency for the Protection of Children and municipal councillors from the Sofia Municipal Council in the face of Mr. Ivan Iliev and many other people with good hearts.

MGERB attended a National Youth Meeting

14/06/10


The third national youth meeting “Youth Employment” took place in the beach resort Sunny Day, near Varna from the 9th of June 2010 to the 13th of June 2010.

The meeting is part of the cycle of consultations being upheld in all of the European countries regarding the priorities of the Spanish presidency of the European Union. Over 190 participants and guests discussed youth entrepreneurship, career development, education, the rights and duties regarding work employment and youth policies for employment, which will be included in the national report of our country, offering specific measures, which need to be undertaken.

Guests of the meeting were Petya Evtimova – Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Science; Finn Denstad – Representative of the European Commission; Xenia Constantinou – Vice President of the European Youth Forum; Monika Panayotova – Chairwoman of MGERB and Member of Parliament in the 41st National Assembly; Joanna Dochevska – Coordinator of MGERB Sofia and part of the Initiative Committee for the creation of a National Youth Forum; representatives of the national youth forums of Great Britain, Spain, Croatia and Lithuania. Representatives of the European Youth Forum were also present at the meeting.

Representatives of the European Commission, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science and youths – initiators for the creation of a National Youth Forum, also discussed the creation of a youth platform, uniting the youth organisations for leading effective youth policies.

The National youth meeting ended with a National youth exhibition, which is held for the 7th time and gathers the most active youth organisations in Bulgaria. MGERB was represented at the exhibition with its own stand, which was attended by many youths to receive information about initiatives and events of the organisation.