Abstract |
European law does not specify for a particular model of
organization and operation on the public finances of the EU members
it is necessary for our country to take the proper steps in order
to ensure the efficient control of the EU budget as well as its own
resources. Since 1998 Bulgaria conducts a reform in the budget,
targeting improvement in the planning, administering and
controlling of the budget resources. In this way Bulgaria makes an
effort to synchronize its own budgetary procedures and practices
with the best achievements in this field of the EU members. Changes
were made in the process of the budget reform, regarding: 1.
Preparation of a three-year budget prognosis. The target point of
the budgetary procedure, in accordance to the Organization of the
State Budget Law, is the preparation of a three-year budget
prognosis, which is based on an actualized three-year
macro-economic framework. This framework should clearly reflect on
the macro-economic program, the fiscal strategy, the objectives of
the fiscal policy and the instruments needed for their achievement.
2. Type of budgeting The preparation of budget prognosis and budget
planning are targeting toward a productive budget programming. The
point is to achieve an effective allocation of the resources and
efficiency in the state services expenditures. The current budget
preparation is resource-oriented. 3. Budgetary documentation As
toward the current situation the budget is represented by a unified
budget classification of the incomes and expenditures. Considerable
improvements have been made in the budget documentation. 4. The
approval of the State Budget Law of the Republic of Bulgaria for
the corresponding year The appropriation bill for the state budget,
approved by the Council of the Ministers, is proposed for review
and approval by the National Assembly no later than two months
before the end of the year. Suggestions on additions or changes to
the project for the annual law of the state budget can be made by
the National Assembly after the first reading. During the second
reading the appropriation bill and the suggestions are discussed
upon and approved by the National Assembly. After being published
in "State Journal", the Ministry Council approves a special
regulation for the budgetary proceedings. 5.Introduction to the
state treasure system. Bulgarian government initiated a preparation
for the introduction of the state treasure system. Its primary
functions are to assist for the execution of contemporary methods
for budgetary planning, implementation, report and control. 6.
Establishment of a new information system for financial management
(ISFM). A principal role in the realization of a budgetary reform
and the introduction of the system for state treasure is played by
the establishment of a new information system for financial
management. The system allows for integration and a high level of
computerization of all accounting operations, which facilitates the
analysis, prognosis and management of the budget funds 7.
Establishment of a new accounting framework in the budget sector.
The new accounting plan allows for a consolidated report on the
base deficit, the preparation of reliable reports and on the
reinforcing of the control on the budget realization. 8.Harmonizing
Bulgarian and EU laws in the sphere of budget policy. The Bulgarian
Constitution and the Law of State Budget Management form the legal
framework of the budget process in Bulgaria. According to the
Constitution the annual law for the state budget as well as all
international contracts, containing financial obligations are
approved and ratified by the National Assembly. The Law of State
Budget Management, since 1997, defines the role of the different
national institutions in the budgetary process. 9. Medial-period
fiscal framework The Republic of Bulgaria uses a Medial-period
fiscal framework (MFF) as a technical instrument for prognosis and
simulation of the budget trends, based on macro-economic
indicators. The used model is based on financial programming.
10.Budget discipline and fiscal stability During the last several
years, in the context of the budgetary discussions, on a national,
as well as on EU level, the concept of the "quality of the public
finances" is getting a greater importance. The achievement of a
budget discipline and fiscal stability are key priorities of the
budgetary policies. The contribution of the fiscal framework of the
growth can be illustrated in three general dimensions of budgeting:
a) steadiness; b) stability; c) effective allocation of the
resources. Problems, which are to be resolved until the end of the
budget reform, can be distinguished: The necessary legal norms are
to be implemented in the financial legislation of the Republic of
Bulgaria, as well as indicators and criteria, It is necessary to be
formulated and approved obligatory legal criteria for the control
of the credibility of the proposed budget projects, as well as the
presence of legal organs, which to enforce the control. In the
budgetary legislation The Parliament should provide for not only
administrative, but penal sanctions in cases of corruption and
improper management of the state resources by the state employees
and the political cabinets. Criteria for verification of the legal
and effective actions of the organs of the state power should be
established and used. The solution to the above problems will, in
our opinion, provide for a higher effectiveness in realizing the
budget reform and in the budget process
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References |
Преговорна позиция на Република България по глава 29 "Финансови
и бюджетни въпроси". Преговорна позиция на правителството на
Република България по глава 28 "Финансов контрол". Bulgaria: Report
on the Observance of Standards and Codes-Fiscal Transparancy
Module. August 2005, International Monetary Fund, Washington,
D.C.
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