Monika Panayotova, Chairwoman of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of European Funds (CEAOEF), was one of the main speakers at the Conference "Bulgaria and the EU’s 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework”, organized by the Economic Policy Institute in cooperation with the "Hans Seidel" Foundation.
Ms. Panayotova, made a presentation on the EU’s 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the new Cohesion Policy of the European Union from Bulgarian and European perspective. She marked, in the context of five years of EU membership, 10 lessons from the current programming period, which have to be taken into account for Bulgaria’s participation in the next programming period: 1. Vision: clarity and coherence; 2. Prioritization and goal setting, 3. Standardization - typical documentation and electronic governance, 4. Clear rules and less bureaucracy; 5. Transparency; 6. Trust and permanent dialogue with all stakeholders at National and European level; 7. Discipline; 8. Internal immunity and stable systems for management and control; 9. Quick start of the programs implementation, given the strict time frames for the projects. A sufficient number of ready for financing major infrastructure projects (in the transport and environment sectors); 10. Strengthening the capacity of the administration and beneficiaries.
The CEAOEF Chairwoman noted, in relation to the revenue side of the European budget, that the real discussion at EU level on the proposals of the European Commission (EC) for the introduction of two new own resources - European Value Added Tax (VAT) and Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) is still to come. The calculations of the Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget- Janusz Lewandowski, are interesting. According to them, if FTT is introduced, the amount of national contributions of the member states, based on gross national income (GNI), will be halved.
Regarding the expenditure side, Bulgaria needs to outline its priorities and vision for the next programming period into three hierarchical aims: main (general) aim – stimulating the country’s development and competitiveness; strategic aims, based on “Europe 2020” and operative goals.
Turning to the European dimension of the topic, Monika Panayotova focused on the following preconditions for the successful realization of the 2014-2020 MFF: The budget should be perceived as an investment tool, generating growth and employment. As the President of the European Commission-Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso noted, the investment of one euro at EU level saves several euros at national level.

The potential of the Single Market should be used more efficiently – linking it to the Cohesion policy, it is clear that solidarity and competitiveness go hand in hand. The high interconnection of the European economies enables the developed countries to also benefit from the investment of European funds in the net beneficiaries (situation "win-win"). In this context, the Cohesion policy should no longer be considered as a list of separate plus-minus calculations. Instead, its pan-European positive effects must be taken into account.

Last but not least, the Chairwoman of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of European Funds highlighted the importance of reducing administrative and regulatory burdens at EU level. She pointed out that in the proposed 2014-2020 MFF there are 120 simplifications of rules, including fewer operational programs and simplified forms for faster transfer of funds to beneficiaries.