NCU, Intermediate Bodies, Paying Authority (autorités publiques)

By virtue of the 24 March 2006 Federal Act on Cooperation with the Countries of Eastern Europe and the CIS, approved by Swiss voters on 26 November 2006, Switzerland made available a CHF 1 billion solidarity contribution not subject to reimbursement for the benefit of those States which became EU members on 1 May 2004. Based on the same Act, in December 2007 a contribution of CHF 181 million for Romania and CHF 76 million for Bulgaria has been voted by the Parliament. The responsible authorities in Bulgaria for the implementation of the Cooperation Programme need financial support for specific activities related to this implementation process.

To guarantee the effective and efficient implementation of the bilateral cooperation programme with Bulgaria.

The financing of certain additional costs incurred by the administration of the partner country in its management of the programme, in particular for the costs of information, the external evaluation of projects, the hiring of experts and consultants, salary components and external audits.

The effective implementation and follow-up of the programme:

• Submission of quality projects
• Procedural transparency
• Optimum visibility of the Swiss Contribution within the country