Bulgaria Signs 210 Million Euros Agreements with EEA Countries
Monday, 12 December 2016
Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev has signed two MOUs on projects worth 210 million euros under the European Economic Area (EEA)'s financial mechanism for 2014-2020.
The assistance granted by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway places Bulgaria "among the first of a total of 15 countries" signing such partnership documents on their priority projects, the government says.
"Through these agreements we boost cooperation between Norway and Bulgaria to achieve the maximum effect on a number of important policies," Tove Bruvik Westberg, Norwegian Ambassador to Romania, Bulgaria and Norway, has added.
Out of this funding, 115 million euros will be earmarked for regional development and poverty eradication projects, but also for ones linked to energy efficienty and security, the environment and cultural entrepreneurship.
Another 95.1 million euros - granted by Norway specifically - will be allocated to projects aimed at business innovation, small and medium enterprises, justice and internal affairs.
Separately, the civil society will be given 15.5 million euros for monitoring and assessments of policies and the activities of the administration.
Another 0.951 million euros are to be spent on projects aiding social dialogue and guaranteeing dignified labour conditions.
Sofia News Agency