The Interreg IPA Bulgaria-Türkiye Programme, one of the three cross-border cooperation programmes developed as part of the European Union’s integration strategy and implemented since 2003, has implemented a strategic project for the first time in the 2014-2020 period. With a budget of €3.3 2.855 million, the Cross-border Cooperation for Blue Growth project has become the highest budgeted project in the history of the Programme. Within the scope of the nature of the Programme, the project was carried out in partnership with the institutions of the two countries, Trakya University from Türkiye and Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov University from Bulgaria.
The opening speeches of the ceremony hosted by Trakya University were delivered by Serdar Öztürk, Deputy Director General for Financial Cooperation and Project Implementation of the Directorate for EU Affairs, who is responsible for the implementation of the Programme in Türkiye as the National Authority; Head of the Interreg IPA CBC Programmes Deapartment Directorate Territorial Cooperation Management Ministry Of Regional Development and Public Works, Republic of Bulgaria; Margarita Grantcharska-De Muynck, Programme Manager, Representative of the European Commission; project partners Asen Zlatarov University Vice Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetlana Zheleva, Vice Rector of Trakya University Prof. Dr. Mustafa Tan and Edirne Deputy Governor Sıdkı Zehin.
After the opening speeches, a panel discussion was organized in cooperation with the project partners. In the panel, the aim of the project, the data obtained during the implementation process, the sustainability of the project in terms of its contribution to the region and the plans for domestic and international collaborations were explained to the participants. The panel ended with a live broadcasting with detailed explanations about the boats and laboratories brought to the university within the scope of the project. After the panel, participants moved to the Technology Research Development Application and Research Center, where the laboratories are located, and the laboratories were inaugurated with a ribbon cutting by the representatives of the project partners and the representatives of the Managing Authority and the National Authority of the Programme.
Desktop analytical equipment, sampling devices and specialised software for analysis and modelling have been delivered in the laboratories. Additionally, there are 2 research vessels and 2 reserve boats for sample collection and exploration. The former operate in marine environment and the latter in river, lakes and wetlands.
Two research centres for Blue growth – one at “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” University in Burgas and another at Trakya University, provide scientific infrastructure for joint work among scientists, researchers, local and regional institutions to develop common approaches, methodologies, models and initiatives for the sustainable use of natural resources. They support the study and monitoring of the ecological status of local ecosystems, while students have the opportunity to participate in research tasks and projects.
The educational role of the two centres is complemented by information campaigns and engagement with local communities to foster environmentally responsible behaviour. The infrastructure and equipment provided for scientists and experts on both sides of the border enhance existing capacities for researching and monitoring. The project implementation helps to address the lack of satisfactory information on the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems in the region. Common methodologies and pilot studies of water ecosystems in the Burgas and Edirne regions have been developed and applied.
The two universities will forge ahead their intensive partnership with an international conference on 12-14 June in Burgas.