Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Losing €8bn under RRP a huge mistake, former deputy prime minister for EU funds warns

Атанас Пеканов
Photo: Савина Спасова

Bulgaria has given up the fight for reforms and investments under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), former caretaker deputy prime minister for EU funds Atanas Pekanov told BNR. He said that Nikolai Denkov's government had made a serious mistake by failing to pass the necessary laws, when it had a parliamentary majority.

The former minister warned that if Bulgaria did not use the funds under the RRP, there would be long-term consequences because the country would miss out on important investments.

"They all believe that because the economy is improving, this money is not needed in Bulgaria, but this is a grave strategic mistake. Losing 8 billion euros by refusing to accept reforms that would be helpful would be a huge act of self-sabotage," Atanas Pekanov said. He added that Bulgaria does not stand well among EU countries because of political instability and the lack of a regular government.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

EC puts forward plan for developing high-speed rail Bucharest-Sofia-Athens

The European Commission has presented a proposal for developing high-speed railway lines within the EU until 2040, linking the capitals in the EU, among them a direct link Bucharest-Sofia-Athens. According to the plan, using the trans-European..

published on 11/5/25 1:20 PM

President Radev vetoes changes to the Investment Promotion Act

President Rumen Radev has returned for a new discussion in parliament the adopted legal amendments, according to which the sale of assets of Russian company Lukoil in the country will take place after a decision of the Council of..

published on 11/5/25 11:43 AM

Danube Bridge between Ruse and Giurgiu opens for heavy vehicles

Nearly 24 hours after it was closed, Danube Bridge linking Ruse and Giurgiu is now open for trucks, regional governor Dragomir Draganov said. At 9 a.m. on November 5, trucks were allowed to pass through the facility. On November 4,..

published on 11/5/25 10:17 AM