June 22 (BTA) - By the end of June, 56 procedures, worth a total of 4.3 billion leva, were announced under the Operational Programme Environment 2014-2020, the Environment and Waters Ministry said on Monday.

This accounts for 124 per cent of the programme's budget.

In order to absorb fully the budget, on March 13 the Council of Ministers authorized the programme's Managing Authority to contract projects in excess of 20 per cent of the programme's budget.

Since the beginning of the programming period, 222 contracts have been concluded, worth slightly over 3.7 billion leva. One billion leva have been paid out to beneficiaries.

In the Water sector 41 contracts, worth 2.23 billion leva in grants, have been concluded. Under the OP Environment 2014-2020 27 waste water treatment plants will be built or reconstructed. Five newly built plants have already been launched into operation in Bansko, Vratsa, Radnevo, Tervel and Shoumen. A contract for the integrated water cycle of Burgas Region was signed on June 16. The investment will be worth 459.3 million leva. Of this amount, 323.7 million leva will be grants under the programme.

Under the Priority Axis Waster, 79 contracts have been signed, worth 607 million leva. Construction of 63 waste treatment plants is underway. Contracts are being concluded for the recultivation of landfills closed in connection with an European Commission infringement procedure against Bulgaria.

Under the Priority Axis Natura 2000 and Biodiversity, 18 procedures have been announced, worth 137 million leva and 26 contracts, worth 91.5 million leva in grants, have been concluded.

Under the programme, 615 million leva will be disbursed under 41 contracts for improvement of ambient air quality.

Also, OP Environment invests in direct measures for floods and landslide management. Some 16 contracts, worth 114.4 million leva, have been concluded under this axis. RI/PP


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