A Media Working Group is established and operational. It has prepared a National Action Plan for media reform. Priorities include media law, professionalism, media structure, and journalism education. The National Working Group of Bulgaria currently endorses a media project “Fostering the Development of Independent Broadcasters in SEE” submitted by the Association of Bulgarian Broadcasters (ABBRO). The project aims to build institutional capacity on a local level and create an enabling environment for the functioning of strong, independent, influential and sustainable associations of broadcasters in the region, to promote effective co-operation and exchange of expertise among the associations and their members at regional and international levels.
Education and Youth
There are 14 regional projects under implementation in Bulgaria in the field of Education and Youth, totalling approximately € 6.2 million.
Bulgaria actively participates in regional networks and projects, especially in the fields of “History Teaching”, “Literature Teaching” and “Vocational Educational Training”.
In this context, the project "Strengthening Local and Regional Structures of Adult Learning", implemented by the German Institute for “Internationale Zusammenarbeit des deutsches Volkshochschulverbandes”, is aiming to create and strengthen adequate structures in the field of adult education in SEE. Bulgaria is very involved in the field of vocational education and training establishments (the project “Establishment of a regional network of education on economics on policy and school level” intends to create a close partnership between already existing training firms in SEE in order to promote regional co-operation in the field of Secondary Schools for Economics).
Human Rights
There are 4 regional projects where Bulgaria is among the recipient countries for about € 2 million.
Bulgaria participates in the campaign “Link Diversity” which aims at raising awareness of the values and principles of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural societies and a democratic citizenship. Bulgaria is also involved in 3 legal and policy measures projects, which intend to strengthen the country's commitment to existing international standards of minority rights. These involve advancement of bilateral co-operation agreements on the protection of national minorities as an important tool for promoting good ethnic relations, acceptance and implementation of the relevant legal instruments and co-operation with their supervisory systems as well as the Non-Discrimination Review, where Bulgaria was invited to undertake a comprehensive review of legislation and practices in order to identify and remove discriminatory aspects.
Bulgaria is part in the co-operation program with human rights NGOs under the leadership of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights. The program pursues to enhance the performance of human rights organisations and to improve regional and local monitoring and exchange of analytical information at local and regional level.
Parliamentary Co-operation
There are 4 regional projects which include Bulgaria as a recipient country. These projects total close to € 3.7 million as follows:
Gender
Bulgaria is involved in 4 Gender Task Force projects totalling about € 2.5 million.
With the support of the GTF and in co-operation with the Council of Europe, the former Bulgarian Government has prepared the Equal Opportunity Act, which provides the basis for the first governmental gender equality mechanism in the country. This Act has the full support of Bulgaria’s major political parties and NGOs, as well as the Council of Europe and EU.
Currently, women account for 26.6% of deputies in the Bulgarian Parliament, which is the second highest percentage in the SEE region.
Good Governance
In Public Administration, there are 6 regional projects currently under implementation in Bulgaria for approximately € 1.9 million.
Bulgaria has initiated the project “The Balkan School for Political Studies”, implemented by “The Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation” in Sofia. The project’s aim is to assist young political and civic leaders in developing a better practice of democracy and the building of a civil society and the promotion of a climate of understanding and co-operation within SEE.
Within the Ombudsman and the Local Government clusters, there are 7 regional projects for approximately € 1.8 million, which include Bulgaria as a recipient country. All projects have started and are well underway.
3. 2. WORKING TABLE II
Economic Reconstruction, Development and Co-operation
Bulgaria is participating in all major initiatives of the Pact regarding economic activities. The free trade agreement signed between Bulgaria and Croatia on 4 December 2001 forms part of the process initiated by the Memorandum of Understanding on Trade Liberalisation and Facilitation adopted by seven countries of the region on 27 June 2001. Bulgaria has already concluded Free Trade Agreements with Romania and FYR Macedonia and it has started negotiations with FR Yugoslavia. The aim is to create a network of free trade agreements in the region by the end of 2002, leading to an open SEE market of 55 mn consumers. Bulgaria also participates in the Investment Compact, an initiative to improve the investment climate in the countries of SEE.
Infrastructure Projects in Bulgaria
| Task Force Leader & Implementing Agency |
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European Investment Bank with
European Commission |
Project Objective
The project objective is to provide a second fixed Danube crossing between Bulgaria and Romania, which are at present connected by a single road/rail bridge at Ruse-Giurgiu, some 300 km downstream. The proposed new transport link would serve local, regional and long-distance traffic between Western Europe and South-Eastern Europe along the route of Pan-European corridor IV.
Project Description
The proposed bridge would be a road/rail bridge with possibly a dual 2-lane carriageway standard and a single electrified railway line (technical parameters still to be determined). Links to the existing road and railway infrastructure are also included.
Cost
Quick-Start: € 5-8 mn for pre-investment studies and technical assistance; Estimated total project cost for bridge construction: € 180 mn (provisional)
Financing Plan
EIB loan € 70 mn
Finance signed on 08.12.2000 for the first trance of € 50 mn out of 70; The German Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) has extended a grant of € 400.000 for pre-investment and preliminary studies
The French Agence de Dèveloppement (ADF) has extended a grant of € 500.000 for pre-investment and preliminary studies
PHARE programme has made a grant of € 200.000 towards the cost of Intl. Consultants
The Bulgarian government has made an application of € 15 mn soft loan to KfW
The Bulgarian Government has made an application of € 7 mn soft loan to ADF
The EC ISPA Application Form of € 5.88 mn grant requested for the Technical Assistance was submitted on 15 March 2001
Preparation of an application to ISPA for a grant towards the construction of the Adjoining Infrastructure on Bulgarian Territory: under way.
Local funds (for works): € 25 mn.
Project Status/Timing
Joint Declaration signed on 07.02.2000
Joint Prime-Ministerial Declaration signed on 27.03.2000
Technical Agreement signed on 05.06.2000
Project Implementation Unit/ Steering Committee set up on 13 June 2001
Agreement on the border crossing procedures and authorities responsibilities to be set up between the two neighbouring countries: expected by end 2001 / early 2002.
Preparation of the Terms of reference for Design: completed April 2001
Preliminary studies:
— geological, hydro-technical and cadastral matter financed by Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW): contract signed on 16 January 2001, completed, awaiting the approval. Final Term of Reference for Tendering and Awarding of the contract for International Engineering and Management Consultant submitted to all parties. It is currently awaiting the “no objection” reply from Romania. Agreement on the terms and conditions for the financing of the project: under way.
— preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) financed by KfW: contract signed on 10 January 2001 : completed, awaiting the approval.
— study for Re-assessment of the Indicative Price financed by Agence de Dèveloppement Française (ADF); contract awarded on March 15 2001, completed, awaiting the approval.
— economic, financial and social analyses financed by ADF : contract awarded on March 15 2001: completed, awaiting the approval
— extension to Territorial Planning Study for Vidim Municipality partly financed by an ADF grant; will be carried out by a local consultant who is already selected.
Preparation and Approval of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Completed.
Preparations of the documentation necessary to achieve the Development Consent (construction permits) in Bulgaria and Rumania: expected by early 2002
Approval of Preliminary Design-revised: expected by February 2002
Approval of the Tender Document for the Design-Build contract -revised: expected June 2002
Approval of the design and tender document for the Adjoining Infrastructures: expected July /Aug. 2002
Construction start: 2003 - projected
Economic/Financial Justification
The construction of a second Danube crossing clearly has a strategic importance and could generate benefits not captured by traditional projection methods. The location at Vidin-Calafat also brings benefits to the local population totalling some 120 000.
| Task Force Leader & Implementing Agency |
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European Investment Bank |
Project Objective
Formerly very active traffic on the river Danube (Corridor VII) has suffered extensively from the blockades and conflicts in the region. Port installations on the Danube river in Bulgaria are in need of rehabilitation.
Project Description
Rehabilitation of the Port of Lom on the Danube river in Bulgaria
Project Status/Schedule
Feasibility study financed by EC PHARE available.
EIB board approval 22.05.2001
Economic/Financial Justification
In 1990 some 113 million tons of freight were transported along the Danube which decreased to some 50 million tons by 1996. Port investments are justified by the prospect of renewed regional and long distance traffic. Navigation on the river would obviously need to be fully restored for port investments to be justified.
Cost
€ 5 mn (Quick-Start)
€ 55 mn (Near-Term): Basic infrastructure up to € 40 mn (incl. technical assistance). Private concession up to € 20 mn.
Financing Plan
EIB loan € 20 mn - proposed
The project is on EC ISPA’s reserve list for grant financing.
Port layout finalisation and restructuring will benefit from USAID T.A.
Local funds € 10 mn.
Private funds € 20 mn to be decided
Sector/Project Issues
The aim is to reopen navigation on the Danube, and to enhance the traffic perspectives for the Port of Lom. A successful restructuring of the Port is an essential condition for the proper implementation of the project. The project's assessment was slightly delayed in agreement with the Bulgarian authorities which gave first priority to the Danube Bridge Vidin – Calafat (Project 3101).
| Task Force Leader & Implementing Agency |
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European Investment Bank
European Commission |
Project Objective
The development of air traffic, particularly in relations with Western Europe, has been a prominent feature of reforming economies. Sofia airport is Bulgaria’s major international airport, and the country represents also on important over flight corridors. Modernisation of the relevant facilities is therefore urgent.
Project Description
The project comprises a new passenger terminal building with a design capacity of 2.5 million passengers/year and a new 3600 m runway.
Project Status/Schedule
Design and supervision contract awarded in 1999
Tender pre-qualification Lot B1 launched 29.02.1999 and completed September 2000
Financing Agreement: signed in June 2001.
(passenger terminal)
Tender Dossier for work contract prepared and submitted to donors for approval: EIB signalled “no objection”, the European Commission is finalising outstanding issues of clarification
Construction start early 2002 – projected
Economic/Financial Justification
The economic rate of return is estimated at 7% for the new passenger terminal and runway on the basis of prudent traffic forecasts. The runway extension will allow the use of larger and heavier aircraft, improve operational flexibility and allow reductions in noise impact.
Cost
€ 210 mn
Financing Plan
EIB loan € 60 mn – firm
Finance Contract signed on 09.09.1997
EC ISPA grant € 50 mn – firm - approved on 20.07.2000
Kuwait Fund KDN 12.3 M (approx. € 38 mn) – firm
Bulgarian State budget € 62 mn – firm
Sector/Project Issues
By agreement with the airport authorities, an extensive package of technical assistance for project management and airport operations was put in place before the actual start of the project, involving foreign consultants. Implementation is now moving ahead. The submission of the Environmental Impact Assessment for terminal building is still awaited.
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At the Second Regional Conference on 25 and 26 October 2001 in Bucharest, financing of 2 additional infrastructure projects with a total value of € 10 mn has been secured for Bulgaria:
