Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

The Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Danail Papazov participated in the Council of Ministers of Transport, Telecommunications and Energy of the European Union ("Transport" and "Telecommunications" sessions) in Brussels, Belgium.

During the discussion for a new Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council for the single European electronic communications market, Minister Papazov pointed out that the Bulgarian authorities reported discrepancy between the targets - creating a single metropolitan telecommunications network and the time period for its implementation - from April 2014. It would not be possible to integrate the telecommunications market in the short term, provided the fragmentation between various Member States as well as on a national level is not overcome. According to the minister, some of the measures would increase the administrative burden and would limit investment. "The creation of uniform rules will lead to a significant change in the existing regime, which undoubtedly means additional costs," added Danail Papazov during his speech.

The Bulgarian Minister said that on an EU level, what should be examined first is the market interest in the authorization for the provision of electronic communication services, then set out detailed procedures for the actions of the regulatory authorities, where necessary.

The Bulgarian position on the proposed changes to the Regulation was presented and supported by professional organizations in the sector of Information Technology and Communications during the session of the Public Council under the Ministry of Transport and Communications.