Europe deserves the Nobel Peace Prize like no other, President says
President Rosen Plevneliev today called for simplification of the rules governing European contracts, for standardization of contracts and continuation of the process of decentralisation. He was speaking in Plovdiv at the eight annual meeting of local authorities in Bulgaria. Addressing mayors from across the country, the President highlighted continuity, strategic and integrated approach as key factors in development in Bulgaria. “No matter who is in power and when, we must achieve our strategic goals,” he said. The President emphasised that growth in the regions would happen only with reforms at local level to
and when in power in the state to achieve its strategic goals," said Rosen Plevneliev and it was clear that the growth in our regions can happen with reforms at the local level, measures to promote competitiveness and a better business environment.
The President dwelt on procurement procedures, which are the main causes of delays in municipal projects under EU operation programmes. With more than 70 per cent irregularities detected in procedures under the Public Procurement Act, you should draw your own conclusions, the President said. He warned that 40 million leva in corrections were related to violations of the Public Procurement Act, which could significantly impede many municipalities, even if the amount seemed small compared to the 4.3 billion leva disbursed to date through operational programmes. In 2013, a billion leva should be spent through the Regional Development operational programme alone, and this is a serious challenge that requires accelerating the pace of project implementation, President Plevneliev said.
President Plevneliev said that procedures for all municipalities under the law on operational programmes should be standardized, which would increase the efficiency and transparency of projects for the construction of kindergartens, cultural attractions, roads and improving the urban environment. He called for an integrated approach to complex and integrated projects in strategies and plans for municipal development currently being drafted.
President Plevneliev said that the amendments to the Investment Promotion Act and public-private partnerships provide new opportunities for Bulgarian municipalities. It is imperative to implement administrative reform projects for e-government and e-municipality and the completion of the reform of the water sector, where municipalities have an important role. The President praised the implementation of the decentralization strategy. A major positive change is the ability of municipalities to raise revenue from concessions for mining and archeological and cultural assets. Regulated distribution of subsidies for municipal roads and empowerment resource management are also steps in the right direction. Municipalities must provide additional rights for ownership and management of infrastructure projects of local and regional importance such as ports, airports, transport terminals, cultural and archaeological values, President Plevneliev said.
In his address to the mayors, the President set out three principles for Europe to emerge from the crisis - discipline, solidarity and responsibility. “These are the principles regarding which Bulgaria is an example,” President Plevneliev said. Reforms for competitiveness and growth need to take place across Europe and here Bulgaria also had taken hard decisions, the President said.
“The biggest problem today is Europe's debt crisis, unemployment and inequality, but they should not divert us from the goal of a strong and integrated Europe,” the President said. He said that the debate about the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the European Union was being used by “some European leaders” to shift the debate “to the success and purpose of the EU”. "This is a success that unites us rather than divides us. It is a success that is measured by an unprecedented 70 years of peace, dignity and prosperity. Europe deserves the Nobel Peace Prize as no one else, and Europe is all of us,” President Plevneliev underlined.