Deputy Prime Minister Tsanova: 2014 Is Zero-Payments Year in EU

No EU payments will be made in 2014, but the money won't be lost, said Deputy Prime Minister Iliana Tsanova during Question Time on Wednesday.
Tsanova said that during the past three months teams of the ministries have worked nonstop to reflect Brussels' recommendations regarding operational programmes. 

The operational programme for human resources development has been submitted to Brussels. An operational programme assisting the most vulnerable groups is also completed and ready to be sent to Brussels. Tsanova added that Bulgaria is prepared to report to Brussels about all other operational programmes.

So far the European Commission has approved seven of a total of 200 operational programmes in the entire EU. She underscored that 2014 is zero-payments year for the whole EU. The delay is largely due to a decision by the European Commission and steps have been taken to address the issue such as renegotiating the whole budget and moving untapped money to 2015. Once Bulgaria submits its operational programmes, projects can be implemented before Brussels' approval.