Bernard Cazeneuve: Bulgaria is an example for the way EU funds are spent and European policies are applied

"Bulgaria has made an incredible improvement and can serve as an example for the way EU funds are spent and European policies are applied. You have set ambitious objectives and are very successful in their achievement." These were the words of the French Minister for European Affairs Bernard Cazeneuve during a work meeting with the Minister of EU Funds Management Tomislav Donchev. 

The two ministers discussed the position on Bulgaria and France on keeping the size of funding for the Cohesion Policy for 2014-2020, which should provide sufficient level of funding as a key instrument for achieving the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy. The two countries are united in the opinion that the multiannual financial framework is important for the countries to be able to continue what they have started. "Currently we are together in the negotiations on the multiannual financial framework and these are not easy negotiations," Minister Cazeneuve stated. "Generating growth by this framework is in interest of the donor countries and the President of France. That suggests a good level of EU funds spending," he added and continued, "France is a net donor country, but we are convinced that the money we give is not lost. What makes it difficult for France are negotiations that would aggravate the situation for the taxpayers from the donor countries. We are convinced that there are many countries that have increased their gross domestic product and registered economic growth. Bulgaria is advantaged by its mechanism for increasing funds."

On the debate for the future of the EU Cohesion Policy in the next programming period, Bernard Cazeneuve said that the growth and integrity of Europe are a main goal for the country and France will do its best to conclude the negotiations on the multiannual financial framework in time.