(ANSA) - BRUSSELS - Bulgaria has announced that it will contribute 100 million euros to projects benefiting from finance by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), at the heart of the 315 billion euros Juncker Plan. The contribution will be made through co-financing of projects approved by the Bulgarian Development Bank. Bulgaria is the eighth country to contribute to the Plan, before the EFSI becomes operational, after Germany, Poland, France and Italy (with 8 billion each), Spain (1.5 billion), Slovakia (400 million) and Luxembourg (80 million).

"I had very good discussions with Prime Minister Boyko Borisov when I was in Sofia earlier this year about how Bulgaria could benefit from the Investment Plan and soon we will see the concrete effects of its implementation" the European Commission Vice-President, Jyrki Katainen, said. "I expect that Bulgaria will achieve a significant multiplication effect on its 100 million euros investment and that through the participation in the Investment Plan we will see much needed private finance flowing into the economy to stimulate higher growth, create more and better paid jobs and lift up the standard of living in the country" the European Commission Vice-President, Kristalina Georgieva, added. (ANSA).