"Scientific research" Almanac

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  OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASING THE ABSORPTION OF EU FUNDS THROUGH IMPROVING ACCOUNTING AND INTERNAL CONTROL

  To best protect the national and European interests in the process of funds absorption requires complying with certain criteria such as legality, efficiency and economy. Applying them requires good functioning of the accounting systems and timely internal control on the administration of EU funds and programmes. The processes of absorption of EU ... To best protect the national and European interests in the process of funds absorption requires complying with certain criteria such as legality, efficiency and economy. Applying them requires good functioning of the accounting systems and timely internal control on the administration of EU funds and programmes. The processes of absorption of EU funds throughout the Union are accompanied by attempts of fraud and abuse. Bulgaria is the only country in which no one has been convicted for illegal actions with European funds so far. This omission is not due to lack of offenders but to the imperfection of accounting and control systems. They do not function effectively, and therefore are unable to identify infringements or provide convincing evidence for them. Internal audit is part of the system of public internal financial control established by the executive authorities. Its purpose is to confirm that the spending of national and European public finances is carried out in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Directives of the EU Council. It must ensure the protection of public property, the proper preparation and correctness of financial documents and the accounting policy applied.

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  OPPORTUNITIES AND PROBLEMS OF INTEGRATED PRODUCTION IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

  The study is based on the thesis that integrated production is a system for agricultural production, processing and realization of food, which optimizes the use of resources and natural regulation mechanisms, ensuring viability and sustainability of agriculture in the long term. In this regard the main research objective is deduced: studying the ... The study is based on the thesis that integrated production is a system for agricultural production, processing and realization of food, which optimizes the use of resources and natural regulation mechanisms, ensuring viability and sustainability of agriculture in the long term. In this regard the main research objective is deduced: studying the opportunities for development and the problems in practising plant-growing integrated production, as well as the prospects for sustainable development of the agricultural sector. The specific tasks are related to disclosing the economic, ecological and social benefits of integrated production; identifying its problems, assessing the readiness of economic subjects for sustainable integrated production and outlining possibilities for coordination and interaction in its development in the rural areas. The results of the study are: working out approaches to reduce the risks and impact of pesticide use on human health, stability of agrarian-ecosystems and environmental pollution, through long-term sustainable development of agricultural business and increasing the viability of the rural economy; preparation of an alternative model for sustainable agricultural development based on the integrated production of plants and plant products; displaying the advantages and challenges as an opportunity for manufacturing high added-value products while managing sustainably the natural resources.

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  THE HYPOTHESIS ABOUT ACCESSION TO THE EUROPEAN BANKING UNION – OPPORTUNITIES AND DANGERS FOR BULGARIA

  The idea of creating a European Banking Union occurs in times of crisis after identifying some gaps in the activities of the existing establishments and institutions and their inability to ensure the smooth functioning of the banking sector in the European Union and in the Eurozone in particular. Over the last three years (2012 – 2015), a number ... The idea of creating a European Banking Union occurs in times of crisis after identifying some gaps in the activities of the existing establishments and institutions and their inability to ensure the smooth functioning of the banking sector in the European Union and in the Eurozone in particular. Over the last three years (2012 – 2015), a number of measures for the institutionalization of the European Banking Union have been taken. These measures have led to contradictory views and have raised a number of questions regarding opportunities and dangers of its application. The subject is topical so the study tries to clarify the need for the existence of the European Banking Union and revises the mechanism of functioning of the European Banking Union through its three pillars. In this context, controversial issues in terms of the practical applicability of the ideas underlying the European Banking Union are outlined, potential positive and negative results in case Bulgaria decides to join the Union are also clarified, and a recommendation on the issue is formulated. The thesis that is defended in the study is as follows: ‘centralization of the regulatory framework of bank supervision, crisis and post-crisis management through the European Banking Union is an objective necessity in order to ensure the smooth functioning of the EU banking sector.’ As a result of its defense, the identified gaps in the national legislation after the global economic crisis and taking into account the loss of institutional trust, including in the banking sector, undertaking timely steps for Bulgaria’s accession to the European Banking Union is regarded as a positive aspect to the banking sector and the national economy.