The European Commission (EC) will launch Bulgaria’s Operational Programme on Transport (OPT) 2007 – 2013 on November 27 2007.

EU regional policy commissioner Danuta Huebner will sign the document in the presence of Transport and Communications Minister Petar Moutafchiev. The signing will mark the launch of the programme, a Transport and Communications Ministry press release said.

Bulgaria’s Transport and Communications Ministry and the EC completed negotiations on the programme on October 22 2007.

OPT is one of the seven such programmes, under which Bulgaria will utilise EU funds. The programme’s budget exceeds two billion euro.

The operational programme will fund infrastructure projects in railway, road and naval transport sectors.

A second Operational Programme, on Environment will also be signed on November 27. Environment and Water Affairs Minister Djevdet Chakurov, Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski and Bulgarian members of the European Parliament will be present at the signing.