2009 through the eyes of Bulgarian MEPs

published on 12/17/09 9:11 AM

The views of Bulgarian MEPs Andrey Kovatchev from the European People’s Party Group and Kristian Vigenin from the Group of Socialists & Democrats in the EP about the diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and EU during 2009.

Photo: BGNES

How shall we remember 2009? Is it right to speak about a new Europe and a new Bulgaria in the EU? Will Bulgaria’s voice be heard more audibly and do Bulgarians feel more European? We bring you the views of Bulgarian MEPs Andrey Kovatchev from the European People’s Party Group and Kristian Vigenin from the Group of Socialists & Democrats in the EP.

What was the most important event in 2009 for Europe and for Bulgaria as part of EU?

“In fact I’d single out two events though one of them is standard, notably the European Parliament elections held once every 5 years”, Krstian Vigenin said. “For the first time Bulgaria joined the voting on an equal footing with other EU nations in an all-European campaign and for all-European elections. As far as the EU is concerned, the most important event was that after 10 years it succeeded in passing a new treaty, a new constitutional framework for the Bloc. The Lisbon Treaty enforced on 1 December, will make the EU more efficient. It has introduced new top jobs aimed to make the EU and European political affairs more distinct on the international stage. Besides, it delegates greater powers to the European Parliament, the single directly elected body in EU. This will add greater legitimacy to the Union and to European policy making.”

Some observers have speculated that we have embarked on the road to Europe’s federalization.

“This issue will always be discussed”, Vigenin admits. “However, claiming that federalization is under way would be an exaggeration. I’d rather describe the process as a stronger coordination, as streamlining policies, and especially the foreign policy. Those who dislike a federal EU shouldn’t worry. In the meantime however the global process and the greater responsibilities that EU faces require a more united, better-coordinated policies in every sphere and especially in external relations and security. So, the steps made are important and the bloc will benefit from them. They will make the EU more efficient.”

Will the East Europe countries including Bulgaria, become better positioned to influence EU decision-making?

“Yes”, Andrey Kovatchev contends. “This will be up to every member state and its proactive stance in making the common European policies. Bulgaria has declared that it wishes to be at the center of EU policies making. For this purpose it needs enough capacity, plus political will, of course. I am an optimist that Bulgaria’s voice will be heard, as well as the voice of other East European countries, in both the European Council and the European Parliament, which under the Treaty of Lisbon gains further powers.”

Can we say that three years after Bulgaria’s accession to EU, Bulgarians feel more like EU citizens?

“Life is motion. We can’t possibly report that in 2010, 100% of Bulgarians feel like European citizens”, Andrey Kovatchev argues. “They are Europeans, but how they feel is a different matter and it depends on whether our roads, infrastructure, healthcare, social benefits, pensions and human relations are European. In any sphere of life things are divided into European-like and un-European-like. We will feel more like Europeans provided we are guaranteed stability and security by central and local government. Now the question is to make sure that more Bulgarians feel like Europeans. This will be up to the proper absorption of the notorious European funds. When projects get going, and there is an inflow of fresh financing, more people will be able to live just like average Europeans.”

“There are two benchmarks that everyone of us should use”, Kristian Vigenin believes. “One of them is how Bulgaria fares on the European terrain, in European political affairs, and the other – how Bulgaria’s involvement in EU has changed our lives here, in Bulgaria. I guess there is a lot more than we can do, but the general direction is right. The new Lisbon Treaty gives more rights to the European Parliament and to national parliaments. This implies that with their votes Bulgarian citizens will be able to influence European political affairs more tangibly. We have to bear in mind that 1 million EU citizens – based on a petition drawn up by them - will be able to demand a certain law-making move from the European Commission. I think that this is a very important change, so that citizens come closer to developments in Brussels. Bulgarians share the same rights with other Europeans, though such initiatives cannot take place in a single country. So, Bulgarians will be right if they feel like Europeans. Still, we’ve got to work harder to catch up with social standards and to speed up economic development. Let us work to make sure that the Bulgarian political system and life in Bulgaria is based on European values and principles.”

English version Daniela Konstantinova

По публикацията работи: Tatiana Obretenova

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