Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev, Swiss Ambassador H.E. Raimund Furer, Ministers of Environment and Water Manol Genov and Interior Daniel Mitov signed two agreements under the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme. They are part of the Second Swiss Contribution – for “Improving Air Quality” and “Providing Support for Migration Management”, and amount to a total of 18.7 million Swiss francs.

The environmental measure is “Improving Air Quality through a Modernized and Recognized National Air Quality Measurement System and Scientific Partnerships”. “We are planning specific improvements in the way we monitor air quality, and the goal is better awareness and effective measures by institutions”, said Minister Genov during the ceremony. He added that with these measures Bulgaria is putting at the forefront the need for a modern approach – based on accurate data, effective tools and active cooperation between institutions and the scientific community. “This is a real investment in public health and the sustainable development of our cities and communities,” assured Manol Genov.

Minister Genov expressed appreciation for the efforts of all who had contributed to the preparation of the joint initiative – from the Bulgarian institutions and the Swiss partners. “Let us, with joint efforts, turn our common endeavors into a successful role model of how sustainable policies can start with concrete measurable actions,” he added. The measure, for which the Ministry of Environment and Water is the program operator, has a budget of 15 million Swiss francs and is aimed at modernizing the National Air Quality Monitoring System.

“Here we are not only talking about financial assistance, which is important, but also about exchanging good practices with people and institutions from whom we have something to learn, as well as about creating new partnerships,” said Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev. Ambassador Furer noted that the Bulgarian and Swiss sides are looking in the same direction and added: "We have the same interests and we want to achieve something significant. These are two important and very high-quality programs."