Cohesion Policy - a bridge to connect Europe's regions
14 October 2011 News
In the debate on the next financial framework for the European Union (2014-2020), Bulgaria will confirm its position that the budget of the organization should continue to promote Cohesion Policy, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov said at a meeting with Janusz Lewandowski, European Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget.
“The Cohesion Policy is the main tool that helps new member states catch up with the achievements of others and should therefore be fully supported,” Minister Mladenov said.
He gave the Balkans as an example of convergence, given the transport connections between Bulgaria, Romania and Greece.
According to Commissioner Lewandowski, the objective of Budget 2020 is not only to protect the Union, but poorer countries. He gave an assurance that in the next financial framework there will be guaranteed funding for farmers as well as for the development of the sector, adding that Bulgaria need not expect less money, despite the trend of reducing financial costs.
“The financial crisis is a fact, but we must not underestimate the potential of Europe to deal with it,” Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister said. He added that the forthcoming debate on the Budget 2020 would be difficult, but the main priority of Bulgaria within the EU is not to end up with solutions that would mean divisions among groups.