SECTION 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION
REPORTING PERIOD
PROJECT DURATION
01.07.2011 - 30.09.2011
14.03.2011
14.03.2013
PRIORITY AXIS
AREA OF INTERVENTION
PROJECT TITLE
2. Accessibility
2.1. Development of the road & railway network
“A Way To-Gather:Construction of the road Zlatograd-Bordercrossing Point “Zlatograd” – Thermes – Xanthi”
PROJECT ACRONYM
ZLATEX
SUBSIDY CONTRACT NUMBER B1.21.01
LEAD PARTNER
MUNICIPALITY OF ZLATOGRAD
Partner No
LP (P1)
P2
Partner Institution (Full Name)
MUNICIPALITY OF ZLATOGRAD
REGION OF EAST MACEDONIA AND THRACE
LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE
PROJECT MANAGER
FINANCIAL MANAGER
COUNTRY
BULGARIA
GREECE
TOTAL APPROVED
1 795 640,71 €
91 763,20 €
Miroslav Yanchev
Elmira Ugorlieva-Pehlivanova
Irina Ivanova
SECTION 2 - PROGRESS ACTIVITY REPORT
2.1
Summary of the project's achievements so far
The primary objective of the project "A Way To-Gather: Construction of the road Zlatograd – Zlatograd
Border - Crossing Point – Thermes – Xanthi” is to improve the accessibility of the transport network on both
sides of the border. The opening of the fourth transport link between Bulgaria and Greece in Zlatograd led
to an increase in the passenger-flow through the BCP in both directions. This requires ensuring normal and
safe vehicle traffic and development of the existing road infrastructure in the city center. In order to meet
the primary objective of the project, a press conference was held that launched the implementation of the
project activities. This press conference was attended by the Mayor of Zlatograd, the Deputy Regional
Governor of Smolyan, the Chairman of the Municipal Council, members of the Municipal Council, crossborder management team of the project, representatives of local, regional and national print and
electronic media, experts at the municipal administration.
The press conference led to promoting the EU financial assistance. During the reporting period a kick-offmeeting with our Greek partner was held in order to distribute the activities of the project team, to specify
the ways of communication between team members, to appoint the joint meetings, to clarify the timing of
the proposed activities and the required PLC procedure. The technical design was discussed and the route
of the projected communication path was reviewed. A contractor was selected to provide consultancy
assistance for the preparation of the tender procedures set out in our project proposal as well as a
contractor to implement the publicity and information events related to the project. A contract for project
auditing was signed. At present, a procedure for the selection of a contractor for construction and
mounting works and construction supervision has been announced. Documentation was prepared for the
execution of a contract for author's supervision.
2.2
Summary of the project's achievements during this reporting period
During the reporting period we failed to realize several payments of the project preparatory costs:
preparation of the technical design under Hydrology Part and the comprehensive report assessing the
compliance of the technical investment project with the essential requirements for building works. During
this reporting period we filed a request for verification of the other preliminary costs of the implementation
of the project which have been verified according to Annex II Certificate of verified expenditure from
bulgarian controller Svetlin Gankov. Due to lack of available funds in the municipal budget, at present
payment has been made for the project team’s salaries for May only, as well as the rent for the office for
that month. By mutual agreement the rental contract for the office has been terminated since September.
On 27 September 2011 the tenders of the tenderers for implementation of construction and mounting
works under the project were opened. Currently they are under evaluation. The project website was
prepared with content provided in Bulgarian and English. Our Greek partner is preparing the translation of
the site into Greek. The website can be seen on the temporary website http://zlatex.eu/index1htm.
Preparation has started for printing the brochures on the project and the temporary and permanent sign
boards.
2.3
Analytical description of the implemented actions, outputs and results during this reporting
period with reference per work package and partners' involvement.
A contract for independent auditing of the implementation of the project activities was concluded
in the reporting period July to September 2011. By mutual agreement the rental contract for the office was
terminated and the leading organization was faced with the necessity of determining the office of the
Deputy Mayor and Project Leader as the office of the project. On 27 September 2011 the tenders for
implementation of construction and mounting works under the project were opened. Currently the tenders
filed by seven tenderers are under evaluation. During the reporting period the design of the project website
was developed, published in Bulgarian and English. The Greek version of the page is being translated by our
Greek partner. The site contains all the necessary requisites according to the program guidelines for
information and publicity. It provides information about the project partners, the programme funding the
project activities, and information and news about the project.
In August experts of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works inspected the project
in relation to a complaint filed by the chief editor of "Zlatograd Newspaper" expressing his negative opinion
on the purpose of the project. We still have no answer from the Ministry, but it should be noted that within
two months prior to the application of Zlatograd Municipality with this project under European Territorial
Cooperation Programme Greece-Bulgaria 2007-2013, the local people were given the opportunity to
examine the idea and purpose of the urban development route through the special information area on the
ground floor of the building of the municipal administration, on the official website of the municipality, at
the public discussions and workshops held in different parts of the town the minutes of meeting of which
are stored in the municipal administration. The residents were able to express their written opinions in the
book for reviews, recommendations and suggestions.
Only one opinion was filed which contradicts the idea of the local government to build a new contemporary
vision of the town center in line with the modern requirements, as well as the proposal to solve the
problems of the urban road infrastructure related to the scarcity of parking spaces and the increased
tourist flow to Zlatograd. This view was expressed by Mr. Ushev, the aforementioned claimant. The press
conference which in fact launched the implementation of one of the most important infrastructure projects
of Zlatograd Municipality associated with the implementation of the Scheme for Urban Development and
Communications Route was attended by Mr. Ushev who made no comments on the importance of the
project. The Scheme for Urban Development and Communications Route was approved by the Municipal
Council.
It preserves the existing green architecture and along with the Concept of the Town Center provides two
options for its increase, development and combination of attractive plant species. The urban development
decision allows the tourists coming from and traveling to our southern neighboring country to visit and see
our town instead of just passing transit through it when traveling to the larger resorts and cities. Building
Permit was issued for the implementation of the construction works provided for under the project. Within
the determined time limits no complaints or appeals have been lodged and the permit entered into force
on 11 November 2009. The opinion of the Mayor of Zlatograd is that the statutory procedures and
deadlines as per Art. 149, par. 3 and Art. 216, par.2 the Spatial Development Act have been met.
2.4
Next steps to be taken for project's implementation
According to the schedule, the steps to be taken in the next quarter include the activities of the following
work packages: WP 3 Construction of the road, Action 3.1 Construction works - start 01.10.2011; Action 3.2
Works and Designer Supervision - start 01.10.2011. Because of the appeal of the procedure on opening the
public procurement, the execution of the contract with the company selected to carry out the construction
and mounting works under the project is expected to be delayed. Despite the appeals, our expectations are
within the next period to begin the actual execution of the construction works on the project so that we
will have reasons to require the implementation of the first interim audit of the project. By the end of
October the execution of a contract with the author team is also expected concerning the exercising
author’s supervision of the project. By the end of October the project website in three languages is
expected to be released on the internet. In June our Greek partner starts to prepare the strategy for
management of the joint traffic and over the next quarter the necessary procedures are expected to be
carried out in accordance with the Greek law concerning the realization of the activity WP 4 Development
of a Joint Traffic Management Strategy Action 4.1 Development of the document;
2.5
Problems encountered and proposed solutions
The main problem encountered in the process of implementation of the project activities results from the
lack of available funds from the municipal budget for the operation of the project. The national co-financing
is also not aligned to this reporting period. All costs which should have been paid during the first reporting
period will be paid in installments during the next periods. Zlatograd Municipality finds the solution of the
overall problems in taking a loan under FLAG, which will be the first step to be taken after the local
elections in October 2011. On the date of filing the request for the first level of control on 24 June 2011 we
submitted a request for verification of expenditures amounting to EUR 9,365.76. Due to lack of own funds
for the reasons described above we could not make the planned payment of the costs, therefore costs of
EUR 2,792.47 were reported. In the second reporting period we encountered the same situation again – we
filed a request for verification of expenditures amounting to EUR 10,994.31 but only 3,996.22 euro were
verified. Another important problem encountered under the project is related to the appealed procedure
for the selection of the contractor for construction and mounting works. This carries the risk of failure to
meet the scheduled deadlines for the implementation of the project activities.
2.6
Changes in the Implementation
Due to lack of funding for the project activities, at present there is no reason for the implementation of
auditing by the company engaged with carrying out auditing works on the project. This results in delaying
the commencement of the interim audit report. The unavailability of a company selected as the contractor
for the construction and mounting works on the project leads to delaying the start of the actual
construction works.
SECTION 3- PRIORITY THEME
Code
Priority Theme
01
R&TD activities in research centres
04
Assistance to R&TD particularly in SMEs
(including access to R&TD services in research
centres)
Investment in firms directly linked to research
and innovation
07
21
Motorways (TEN-T)
23
Regional / Local roads
26
Multimodal transport
45
Management and distribution of water (drinking
water)
51
Promotion of biodiversity and nature protection
(including Natura 2000)
55
Promotion of natural assets
56
Protection and development of natural heritage
58
Protection and preservation of the cultural
heritage
59
Development of cultural infrastructure
63
Design and dissemination of innovative and
more productive ways of organizing work
69
Measures to improve access to employment and
increase sustainable participation and progress
of women in employment.
71
Pathways to integration and re-entry into
employment for disadvantaged people:
73
Measures to increase participation in education
and training throughout the life-cycle
76
Health infrastructure
85
Preparation, implementation, monitoring and
inspection
86
Evaluation and studies; information and
communication
Total
Verified
Expenditures
during this
reporting period
Total verified
expenditures
including this
reporting period
3 996,22 €
6 788,21 €
3 996,22 €
6 788,21 €
SECTION 6 - PUBLICITY
The preparation of the project website started during the reporting period July-September 2011 and
currently we expect out Greek partner to provide its Greek version. A press conference was held launching
the implementation of the project the activities. The website can be seen on the temporary website
http://zlatex.eu/index1.htm. Preparation has started for printing the brochures on the project and the
temporary and permanent sign boards. 3D images were made on the part of the Concept of the Town
Center, which covers the communication route provided to be built under the project. These images will be
used for the preparation of sign boards and brochure under the project.