Speaker of National Assembly Georgi Pirinski, Deputy Prime Minister Meglena Plugchieva, European Affairs Parliamentary Committee Chairman Mladen Chervenyakov and EU Funds Absorption Subcommittee Chairman Radoslav Ivanov signed on 5 June 2009 a joint declaration on the outcomes of the European Union funds absorption audits conducted by the National Audit Office. This was the subject matter of a discussion forum held on 15 May 2009 at the National Assembly with the participation of M.P.s, Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the Executive, Ambassadors of EU Member States.

The declaration reads:

“Following the Round Table held on 15 May 2009 with the purpose of discussing the outcomes of the audits of the EU Structural and Cohesion Funds management and the implementation of the National Strategic Plan for Rural Areas Development and the National Strategic Plan for Fishery and Aquacultures, assigned on the National Audit Office by a decision of the National Assembly, we, the undersigned declare our conviction and support of the following conclusions:

At the initial stage of their functioning, the EU funds management systems have shown serious flaws due to the substantial number of bodies involved in the management process, and to the inefficient interaction, coordination and distribution of responsibilities and prerogatives among them.

We appeal for reaching a nation-wide consensus on the amendment of the EU funds management pattern.

The management systems pattern should be simplified within shortest of time by the next government in order to produce optimal results in the effective and efficient absorption of the EU funds.

The change towards centralization should be carefully implemented in order to avoid concussions within the system that may block the Bulgarian EU funds absorption.

The options for centralization of the EU funds management in Bulgaria could be setting a specialized agency, ministry or transforming an existing structure which may take over the functions of the new specialized governmental structure.

It is necessary at the very onset of the next National Assembly and within shortest of terms to launch further streamlining of the management system and change of the EU funds management pattern towards a step-by-step centralization.

It is high time for all of us to start working to the national interest and to prove that all state institutions and political parties comprehend the significance of the EU funds for the Bulgarian economy and hence for the welfare of every single Bulgarian.”