Bulgaria is in last position in the utilization of financial resources under the European Commission’s temporary Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency (SURE), an instrument designed to protect jobs and incomes affected by the pandemic, BNR’s Maria Kostova reports.

Latest EC data show that this country has utilized 500 million euro, the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria says. By way of comparison, neighbouring Romania has utilized 4 billion euro. SURE provides financial support in the form of loans granted by the EU to member countries on favourable terms. Over 90 billion euro has so far been disbursed, which means that Bulgaria has availed itself of just 0.55% of the sum.