The cross-border cooperation with Greece and Romania is being optimized

The series of working meetings of the MRDPW experts with their colleagues from Greece and Romania has finished. The purpose of the initiative is the optimization of the relations with the neighbour countries in the process of EU accession. The Bulgarian delegation was headed by the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Dimcho Mihalevsky. During his visit in Greece Deputy Minister Mihalevsky spoke with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Greece Mr. E. Stylianidis. They discussed topics related to the modernization of the road and transport infrastructure in the border region and in the country, the management of the European Funds and the starting of a series of measures for management of waters in the border region. Special attention was paid to the implementation of the projects for construction of the new border-crossing checkpoints (BCC) at Makaza and Rudozem. The construction of the road to the Makaza BCC from Bulgarian side is expected to finish by the end of the month. During the talks was made clear that there has been hard work going on the implementation of the project on the territory of the Greek Republic as well. The first 4 km of the access road on Greek territory are ready. The procedure for selection of a contractor on the 2nd Lot of the road-bed will start by the end of March. The Greek side expects the completion of the design work of the last section of the access road. In 2008 the new BCC will work in full capacity. After the meeting was issued that there are expectancies soon for the opening of a new BCC between Ivailovgrad and Kyprinos. It will operate only with car and passengers traffic and the passing of goods from there is not envisaged. The Greek side confirmed the forthcoming implementation of three projects related to the Greek plan for reconstruction on the Balkans. These projects will support the modernization of three hospitals on Bulgarian territory in Kardjali, Smolian and Vratsa. A session of the Joint Coordination Committee on Phare-CBC was held in Romania. The experts of the two countries agreed to create the necessary conditions for government of joint projects financed by EU. The formation of all structures and a Joint Technical Secretariat is at hand. It will be located in the border town of Calarasi and will have a subsidiary in Silistra. The purpose is to be facilitated maximally the organizations and institutions applying for financing to the EU funds. A series of issues on the preparation of CBC projects for 2006 and on the Territorial Cooperation Operative Program implementation plan (2007-2013) were discussed. Public Relations and International Activities Directorate