Transparency International-Bulgaria organizes a meeting of NGOs
On 29 March 2005 the TI–Bulgaria team introduced the initial results of its research on the contracting procedure of the Trakya highway concession deal to representatives of 10 civil organizations. The research includes the basic parameters of the contracting bargain with a view to transparency, legal compliance and expedience of the contract and protection of public interest. Among the participants were representatives of The Bulgarian Media Coalition, The Institute for Market Economics, The Media Development Center, The Open Society Institute - Sofia, ProMedia, The Center for Liberal Strategies, The Center for Economic Development, The European Institute, The Access to Information Programme and The Foundation for Local Government Reform.
The representatives of the invited NGOs proposed to TI-Bulgaria to present the final results of its initial research to the public and the media in the framework of a public discussion of the contract within one week after the meeting. During the discussion the participating civil society representatives will formulate a list of major concerns and requirements to Bulgarian government in the course of preparation and realisation of the concession contract.
The organisations that took part in the meeting expressed their opinion in regard to the importance and seriousness of the issues emerging from the concession procedure of Trakya highway. The primary focus of the discussions were the principle problems concerned with civil control on the decisions made by government in building infrastructure of public importance and assuming financial obligations by the state in the process of their realisation.