At a meeting with Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, newly-elected Bulgarian MEPs have reached consensus on important national issues. The aim is unity in defending Bulgaria’s positions in the EP during the next 5 years, regardless of political affiliation. Bulgaria is represented by 17 MEPs out of a total of 751 members of the European Parliament. There are 6 MEPs of the GERB party and 1 of the Reformist Bloc in the group of the EPP. 4 Bulgarian MEPS of Coalition for Bulgaria are in the group of PES. 4 MRF MEPs are part of The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and there are 2 MEPs of Bulgaria without Censorship Coalition. What are the key areas of national interest? Here are answers of several MEPs from different political parties:

"First come the interests of Bulgarian citizens abroad, as well as the access of Bulgaria to resources,” says Tomislav Donchev (GERB/EPP). “Although the financial framework has already been specified, there are funds that still need to be allocated. Schengen membership and becoming part of the Euro Area in the long term are among the topics on which we have reached complete consensus. We are also to work for strengthening Europe’s positions in foreign policy and increasing energy security. These are issue we must focus on, not debates about the shape of the olive oil bottles. We also discussed the topic of nomination of Bulgarian EU Commissioner, without mentioning specific names. We have agreed that Bulgaria should express its positions on the topic as soon as possible and not wait until the deadline,” the MEP added.

Here is what Iliana Yotova of the BSP/PES told Radio Bulgaria:

"We have managed to reach agreement on 13 or 14 issues which is an indisputable success. The topics range from economy to foreign policy; from Schengen membership to the refugee issue. So we are currently thinking about the realization of these ideas in practice,” she says.

"We have discussed major issues for Bulgaria like Schengen Membership and turning this country into a leader of stability on the Balkans. Energy policy was also a major focus of discussions. We have identified 17 issues on which Bulgarian MEPs could join efforts,” said Filiz Hyusmenova (MRF /ALDE)

"When we speak about a big energy project that will bring money to Bulgarians, Bulgarian MEPs must unite,” Angel Djambazki of the VMRO/ Bulgaria without Censorship Coalition says. “We cannot have differences in our opinion towards the Bulgarian community in Macedonia, the Bulgarian community in the western outlands /Serbia/, the Bulgarians in Ukraine, Romania, etc. We should all share the idea of protecting the rights of Bulgarians there. The EP should not be used for resolving domestic political strife."

"The discussion focused on the protection of the rights of Bulgarians abroad, the Bulgarian communities and Bulgarian citizens in the EU, as well as on measures for protecting the rights of the Bulgarian minority in Ukraine. These are the topics on which a common Bulgarian position can be reached,” says Svetoslav Malinov of the Reformist Bloc /EPP. “We should also reach some consensus on the issue with the absorption of EU funds. The new Bulgarian commissioner must be influential but this is also a function of the stability of Bulgarian government. "

Newly-elected Bulgarian MEPs described the meeting with the President as constructive and said it should become an annual tradition.

English: Alexander Markov