Bulgaria will be able to receive additional funds from the EU before 2013 outside the already approved operational programs, announced the Bulgarian National Radio.

The funds will come from a new grant program of the European Commission called "Transnational Program for Cooperation for Southeast Europe".

It aims to accelerate the socio-economic integration of specific regions in 16 countries, some of which are EU members, and some aspiring to be.

Almost EUR 207 M have been allocated for the new program from the EU budget. The grants will be awarded to joint trans-border projects dealing with environmental protection, the improvement of transportation and communication connections, development of entrepreneurship, and the application of new technologies.