Tomislav Donchev: Innovation, education and green transformation will be Bulgaria’s main focus in the next programming period

The main focus for Bulgaria in the coming years will be innovation, education and green transformation, or acting so that the consequences of the Green Deal are taken in the most painless way and, if possible, we could even reap benefits, said Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev, at a forum in Varna for presenting the new EU research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe, Radio Focus – Varna reported.

The country should seek investments that would bring five euro for one euro invested, the deputy prime minister noted. According to him, the long-term effect is one that multiplies over the years and should be a priority. "How much funds we will have depends on the multiannual financial framework. In any case, it will be more than we have now, which is good for Bulgaria. We cannot give up traditional investments, such as road or environmental infrastructure, as we still need to build more roads, railways, wastewater treatment plants," he said.

He further said that the negotiations on the EU's multiannual financial framework have not been completed yet but the initial proposal allocated more money to Bulgaria, which, though, needs to be spent wisely. “If we have learned to adhere strictly to rules and procedures, we still have a lot to learn and be better at maximising the effect of money," he explained.