The Strategy Board, which has been working since the beginning of the 2021-2027 period of the Programme, held its sixth meeting in Karnobat, Bulgaria. The meeting started with the opening speeches of co-chairs Georgi Dimitrov, Mayor of Karnobat Municipality and Yusuf Güler, Deputy Governor of Kırklareli, Serdar Öztürk, Deputy Director General of Financial Cooperation and Project Implementation from the Directorate for European Union Affairs, representing the National Authority, Stanka Dimitrova from the Territorial Cooperation Management Directorate, Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, Republic of Bulgaria representing the Managing Authority, and Tolga Orkun, Counsul of Republic of Türkiye Burgas.
The meeting was briefed on the upcoming evaluation process of the first call of the Regional Strategy entitled Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth Based on Digital and Green Transformation with Increased Competitiveness of the Local Economy. Another topic discussed during the meeting was the strategic project to be implemented under the second call of the Regional Strategy entitled Improving Access to Public Services. A briefing was given by the Bulgarian partner, the Directorate of Fire Safety and Civil Protection of the Ministry of Interior, on the strategic project Increasing the Capacity for Prevention and Response to Disasters (forest fires, floods, landslides) in the Bulgaria-Türkiye Cross-border Region”. Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) and Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). The Turkish beneficiaries of the future project, also attended the Strategy Board meeting. During the meeting, the interim evaluation report prepared for the implementation of the Regional Strategy was presented to the members of the board and information was provided on the current progress.
Prior to the Strategy Board meeting, representatives of the Managing Authority of the Program and the National Authority held a technical meeting at the Atanas Karaivanov Historical Museum, where the Board was held and operational details of the Programme discussed.
