The European Commission Representation in Bulgaria has hosted a discussion on the challenges this country will face once it takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, 2018. Its organizers are the European Movement and the Union of European Federalists.

The new European political season will certainly not be easy and predictable. Problems that await their effective solutions are too many, and this country has to take on the difficult role of a mediator to help this. MEPs Andrey Kovachev and Peter Kurumbashev have taken part in the forum. MEP Svetoslav Malinov sent a video message. In it he pointed out the success the EU achieved by resolving a crisis that put into question its unity and future:

“I would like to share something that no one speaks of and it is that the EU has apparently managed to ease the refugee and migrant crisis. A year and a half ago, all the news started with this. The deal with Turkey has been working. It was irresponsible to attack the document when it was first signed. It was good for Bulgaria and one of the main instruments of European policy that proved to be successful. In recent months, European politicians have been preparing agreements with North African countries to prevent future waves of refugees and migrants to the EU."

Speaking about Brexit negotiations, which will be in the focus of attention in the next few months, Malinov expressed hope that some of the most difficult decisions will be taken by the end of this year. Thus, Bulgaria will have the time and opportunities to realize some of its goals during the presidency.

The "Western Balkans" priority was once again one of the topics of greatest interest. According to Andrey Kovachev, the fact that this country will be the voice of its western neighbors in the union should not be burdened with unrealistic expectations. Bulgaria cannot commit to a specific date for the western Balkans to join the European family. What it can do is initiate debate and seek consensus with other Member States on the subject. A similar meeting is due in May. The MP added that it was very important for our neighbors that European citizens should not be divided into first and second class and that the union itself should not be divided into central and peripheral. The Common Foreign and Security Policy would also allow citizens to live bigger security - both physical and social.

Kovatchev also drew attention to another important issue - the level of Euroscepticism in the EU. According to him, there was still a lack of confidence in the EU present in the society. The question if we needed the membership continues to divide people, while such a debate was of no use. Ordinary people think the union dictates how to live and what rules to observe. This is a prejudice that is instigated and fed by anti-European organizations that despite the relatively high degree of optimism towards Bulgaria’s EU membership manage to convey a feeling that this country only suffers from its membership.

Petar Kurumbashev said that regarding Schengen, a meeting between Bulgarian and Romanian MEPs will be organized in November. In addition to adopting a joint declaration on membership, which will include Croatia, the problems related to posting of workers to different Member States will also be discussed.

English: Alexander Markov