Greece, Bulgaria, Italy and Albania to get Phare support for cross-border cooperation
The European Commission is contributing 25 million euro to set up the 1999 Cross-Border Cooperation programme (Phare CBC programme) between Greece and Bulgaria. The money will be invested in major infrastructure projects of importance to both countries and will focus specifically on the transport, telecommunications and environment sectors. The projects are intended to assist Bulgaria's preparations for accession to the European Union and include the electrification of the Dupnitza Kulata railway line, the installation of Optic Cable Haskovo and a 12 million euro project to close the uranium mines in Eleshnitsa and Dospat. As part of the Phare CBC programme, the Commission will also be dividing 14 million euro between Italy, Greece and Albania for cross-border cooperation. The Phare CBC programme with Italy, worth 7 million euro, will concentrate on the districts of Albania which share a common maritime border with Italy. Similarly the Phare contribution to the programme of cross-border cooperation between Albania and Greece will be 7 million euro. This will be devoted to improving the infrastructure in two main areas: the roads in the Greece/Albania border region and the rehabilitation of the water supply system in Gjirokaster.
Countries
Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy