Bulgaria has been a provider of development cooperation since it joined the European Union. In 2023, the country provided 93 million euros through the EU’s general budget, European Commissioner for International Cooperation Juta Urpilainen said in an interview with Ljubomir Martynov of the Bulgarian News Agency. This corresponds to 0.6% of ODA channeled by EU Member States through the EU in 2023, it added.

Urpilainen gave the interview on the eve of her working visit to Bulgaria today. Her program included a meeting with Acting Foreign Minister Ivan Kodov, as well as meetings with representatives of businesses, non-governmental organizations and youth organizations. Among the topics to be discussed were the geopolitical situation and Bulgaria’s participation in the implementation of the EU Global Gateway investment strategy.

The Commissioner stated that Bulgaria’s impact could be greater than its financial contribution. “I know that Bulgaria is focusing its efforts on the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership countries, given the great expertise you achieved during the accession process. The Global Gateway is also opening in these areas,” said the Finnish Commissioner.

“Global Gateway is the EU’s positive offer to partners, our investment strategy to mobilize up to €300 billion worth of public and private investment for sustainable infrastructure and human development in the Global South,” Urpilainen explained. This program places special emphasis on creating local value and building mutually beneficial partnerships, including industrialization and job creation, he added. Urpilainen emphasized that this is not a European alternative to China’s “One Belt One Road” program to finance infrastructure and other development projects in Asia and Africa.