Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov said Bulgaria has so far received just over half of the funds under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, with the country now working under tight deadlines to secure the remaining payments.
Speaking to municipal leaders, he noted that Bulgaria’s absorption rate stands at 53%, significantly below the European Union average of around 85%. He stressed that efforts are now focused on accelerating both investments and reforms to meet the next milestone date of August 31.
Pekanov explained that access to the remaining funding depends not only on infrastructure projects but also on the implementation of complex structural reforms, including changes in the energy sector and water management systems.
He pointed in particular to reforms involving the Bulgarian Energy Holding and the water and sanitation sector, describing them as challenging but necessary for long-term modernization.
“I am confident that we will be able to find some intermediate option that will satisfy both the European Commission and protect Bulgarian energy security, as well as provide a long-term perspective for the regions undergoing the energy transition, so that we can use the resource in the best possible way,” Pekanov said.
