Asen Vasilev proposed that funds from RepowerEU be invested in the rehabilitation of buildings

Given the particularly high interest in the rehabilitation program with an available resource of about half a billion BGN, there were applications for about 3 billion BGN. What we have asked the Ministry of Energy is to consider very seriously whether the resource under the RepowerEU plan cannot be used to increase the funds under the rehabilitation program. This was said by Finance Minister Asen Vasilev during a hearing before the Commission for Control over the Management of European Funds.

Preliminary soundings with the European Commission have shown that they would be inclined to such a decision.

According to Vasilev, quoted by BTA, this would allow about two-thirds of the projects, and not only one-third, to be approved.

The entire REPowerEU resource is EUR 480 million. Preliminary soundings with the European Commission indicate that they would be inclined to such a solution. However, this is within the competence of the Ministry of Energy, Vasilev added.

Regarding the risk of losing funds from the 2014-2020 program period, the Minister of Finance indicated that it is below 1 percent and a series of measures is planned to further minimize it.

"Our assessment is that this one percent will be 0.1 percent, if it remains at all (such a risk - note ed.) when we finish the program period by the middle of the year," Vasilev noted.

According to the new European programs, 19 out of 20 unlocking conditions have been met, the minister commented.

On the occasion of free education for students, Vasilev commented that it is good that Bulgarian students can take advantage of such, but it should happen through a program such as "Stambolov".