On October 27, 2015 the first meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee of Interreg - IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Bulgaria – Turkey 2014 – 2020 took place in in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The meeting was chaired by Mrs. Denitsa Nikolova, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works of Bulgaria (Managing Authority) and by Mrs. Beyza Turan, Head of Financial Cooperation Directorate of Ministry for EU Affairs of Turkey (National Authority). Representative from the European Commission, DG Regional and Urban Policy was Mrs. Fausta Corda.

The Joint Monitoring Committee comprises of representatives of the central governmental administrations of the two countries, regional and local authorities of the border region and non-governmental organizations.

The Joint Monitoring Committee approved the Guidelines for Applicants and adopted the important decision to launch in November 2015 the First Call for Proposals under the new period 2014 – 2020. The members also approved the Multiannual Technical Assistance Strategy and the Communication Strategy of the programme for 2014 - 2020.

The Interreg IPA CBC Bulgaria – Turkey Programme 2014 – 2020 is co-financed by the European Union through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance.