Europe trusts Bulgaria more than before, MEP Andrey Kovachev from the ruling GERB party says about the first year of the 5-year mandate of the new European Parliament, which managed to gain more power than ever in the history of the EP. One year after the European elections in June 2009, 12 out of 18 Bulgarian MEPs from different political parties presented reports before civic organisations and ambassadors to Sofia about their activities related to the European priorities and the protection of the Bulgarian interests. The meeting was organised by the Information Office of the European Parliament in Sofia, together with the Pan-European Union Bulgaria non-governmental organisation. The discussion focused on important issues such as the application of the Lisbon Treaty, the functioning of the European Diplomatic service, as well as the issues related to the global economic crisis and its negative effects in Europe. According to a study by an independent European web site, the Bulgarian MEPs are among the most diligent when it comes to participation in the EP sessions. “11of them have recorded more than 90 % attendance,” Head of the European Parliament office in Bulgaria Violeta Stanicic says. “Attendance is not full just because of the eruption of the volcano in Iceland, which caused most of the Bulgarian MEPs to miss one of the sessions,” she added.
It is important that Bulgaria can take part in the work of the European Diplomatic Service, which is expected to start functioning by the end of 2010, MEP Andrey Kovachev says.
“Participation of Bulgaria in the future diplomatic service was a major priority for the Bulgarian MEPs, as well as for the other EU Member States,” he says. “One of our major tasks is to motivate people to get acquainted with the EU agenda. This is one of the challenges that lie ahead of us and are related to the future of Europe.”
During the first year of the mandate of the new European Parliament the Danube strategy initiative, launched by the EU was of major importance to Bulgaria. The idea of MEP Maria Nedelcheva from the European People’s Party to organize a debate in Brussels on the topic of “Potential of the Danube – river that connects us“ will be realized on July 15. Bulgarian Minister of Regional Development Rosen Plevneliev, EC experts, the 14 countries taking part in the strategy, as well as Bulgarian EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Kristalina Georgieva will take part in the meeting. During the forum, those responsible for the selection and financing of the approved projects will present reports. Key Bulgarian ministries responsible for the spheres of energy, transport, infrastructure, environment, tourism, etc. will present the Bulgarian priorities. The event will show the progress of the strategy and the opinion of the EC about the work done during the 5 months of consultations on the Danube strategy. The next stage will continue during the second half of 2010.
“It is important that Bulgaria will have the opportunity to present its priorities and demonstrate strong positions in the period between the two stages of the Danube Strategy,” Maria Nedelcheva pointed out. “I will have the pleasure to open this conference together with Minister Plevneliev. Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva will also be a very important guest to the forum. Consultations and social discussions have been going on for 5 months in all 14 countries that participate in the strategy. Such discussions took place in all Danube towns and municipalities in Bulgaria. Ideas, problems, and projects have all been collected. There are 300 Bulgarian projects so far. Selection is what follows next. Some of the projects are at an early development stage and it is important for us to hear the criteria of the Commission before we make the final selection. Bulgaria needs to absorb fast the financing for programmes related to the Danube strategy,” Ms. Maria Nedelcheva concludes.
English: Alexander Markov
Photos: provided by EPP/GERB
