Penov – Angelov: IPA cross-border projects between North Macedonia and Bulgaria fully implemented
Skopje, 18 November 2022 (MIA) – Minister of Local Self-Government Risto Penov met Friday with Bulgarian Ambassador Angel Angelov. Talks focused on the cooperation between North Macedonia’s Ministry of Local Self-Government and the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as perspectives of the country’s integration in the European Union, the Ministry of Local Self-Government said in a press release.
Penov stressed that the cooperation between the two ministries, which are responsible for implementing the EU IPA cross-border cooperation programme, is at a high level.
“The high percentage of 100-percent use of the European Union funds for projects in the municipalities in the border region confirms that. In the second phase of the IPA cross-border cooperation programme between the two countries, with a total budget of EUR 19.5 million, 30 projects have been approved, most of which have been implemented. Next week marks the beginning of the third phase, with new public calls for projects to be organized,” said Penov.
Interlocutors also discussed more dynamic implementation of the memorandum of cooperation between the two ministries on exchange of experience and capacity building for better implementation of the IPA programs, through which many useful projects in the municipalities are funded, which also build trust between citizens, and which is of great importance in the process of the country’s integration in the European Union.
