By the year's end, 2 bln leva will be paid out under EU programmes, Minister in charge of EU funds Tomislav Donchev told a news conference on Wednesday.

He added that the new rules adopted by the government on Wednesday for the verification of expenses and extension of grants under the EU operational programmes are expected to make up for the delay in payments.

The rules are part of a package of measures proposed by Donchev designed to improve and speed up the absorption of EU funds by bringing in line, simplifying and shortening procedures. Compliant beneficiaries are set to receive their payments within three months.

The Minister specified that if some of the payments are delayed through a fault of the managing authority or the intermediate body an interest will be due. Currently, payments under some EU programmes are delayed by six to eight months, said the Minister.

Under the new rules, beneficiaries will have to be informed of their rights and obligations throughout every step of the process. The new rules will facilitate the activities of the control bodies as well.

Source: BTA