The European Commission has adopted on 29 Mayq 2013 recommendations to EU Member States designed to move Europe beyond the crisis and strengthen the foundations for growth. These recommendations are based on detailed analyses of each country's situation and provide guidance to governments on how to boost their growth potential, increase competitiveness and create jobs in 2013-2014. Taken together, they represent an ambitious set of reforms for the EU economy. As part of today's package, which marks the culmination of the third European Semester of policy coordination, the Commission has also adopted several decisions under the Excessive Deficit Procedure.
2013 European Commission's recommendations for Bulgaria in brief
to help it improve its economic performance. These are in the areas of:
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Sustainable public finances
Bulgaria's public finances are strong overall. Maintaining this sound fiscal framework is a condition for delivering on the important reform agenda which must be pursued in the coming years. Improving tax collection would allow Bulgaria to support necessary growth-enhancing expenditure. -
Retirement reform
Bulgarian workers leave the job market earlier than the EU average. Ensuring the adequacy of pension provision - and increasing the supply of labour – depends on further measures to encourage Bulgarians to contribute to the system over longer working lives. -
Employment and social inclusion
The labour market is suffering from structural challenges with regional and skills mismatches among the highest in the EU. As a result, Bulgaria's employment rate continues to drop, and unemployment has doubled since 2008. Active labour market policies and a well-functioning Employment Agency are needed to help people, particularly the young and other vulnerable groups to find a job. With the highest rate of citizens at risk of poverty in the EU, Bulgaria should also give priority to implementing a comprehensive strategy for social inclusion. -
Education and healthcare
The low quality of education at all levels has an important negative effect on the economic potential of Bulgaria. The Commission recommends that ambitious reforms are agreed and implemented as a priority. Moreover, Bulgaria's health care system has considerable potential for increasing its efficiency, which would improve the quality of the services it delivers and thereby the population’s overall health. -
Business environment
Bulgaria's growth and employment prospects are significantly hindered by the framework conditions for doing business. The efforts to reduce the administrative burden on companies and restore normal lending to SMEs should be emphasised. Improving the quality and independence of the judiciary system, and effectively tackling corruption are further necessary steps to increase investor confidence. -
EU funds and public procurement
Less than 30% of the EU funds made available to Bulgaria since 2007 have been successfully put to use. The effective deployment of these resources on quality projects is crucial for sustaining necessary public investment. To increase investment, while avoiding irregularities, the relevant legislation should be fully enforced. -
Energy reform
Bulgaria is still to implement fully the internal energy market, is highly dependent on few external sources and has the highest energy intensity in the EU. The energy system should be modernised in order to deliver more competitive and secure energy at a lower cost to citizens, businesses and the environment.