Between 2007 and 2013 Bulgaria will receive EUR 500 to 700 million for infrastructure projects that are part of sector operative programmes and other priority national investments. That is envisaged by a memorandum signed by finance minister Plamen Oresharski and European Investment Bank (EIB) president Philippe Maystadt on Thursday.

The EIB will consider possible participation in public-private partnerships in Bulgaria, Maystadt said. The bank will finance project costs before the EU grants are received, minister Oresharski pointed out. That is the so-called bridge financing, which will support the implementation of project and the absorption of European funds.

From next year Bulgaria will become a shareholder in the EIB, Maystadt said. Taking up a question about EIB's participation in the Trakia freeway, Maystadt pointed out that when the talks on the concession finish, the two parts financed by the bank will be transferred to a private concessionaire. According to him, the concession agreement will have to be revised.