Citizens' Dialogues Initiative is a series of thematic meetings that enables representatives of European structures in Brussels to meet face to face with citizens and talk about common issues of the community. The idea of ​​organizing such kind of discussions without a preliminary scenario belongs to the current composition of the EC. In Bulgaria, "Citizens' Dialogues" have been organized for several years not only in Sofia, but also in other cities across the country. They always involve representatives of authorities - president, ministers, state administration officials, etc. "People feel that the distance between them and senior officials shortens and use the opportunity to ask questions of all kinds," journalists who are also present and show interest in topics on the agenda say. They pointed out that citizens come up with prepared questions and even when there is no time to ask all of them, they leave their folders and expect answers. This gives them confidence that they will be heard. "The question is, however, how far the power of European institutions reach, and how should they react to a signal over embezzlement, for example. There are no investigative bodies in Brussels to do such work. It is good to know the rules and responsibilities Brussels institutions have for solving certain problems of the citizens," says a journalist who has attended the discussions many times.

The topic of the migration wave in Europe has been identified as the most complex one as far as EU policies are concerned. This topic takes the top spot among all 28 Member States, at the same level with terrorism, but I think we do not pay enough attention to this," says Robert Soltyk, Adviser to the Commission's Directorate-General for Communication:

“When we talk about Europe, we must talk to people about everything that affects them. We need to shorten the distance more often, discussions need to be transferred to small towns and villages, so voters can hear us. The right decisions in the EU are made through dialogue and listening to the voice of ordinary people. We have been witnessing that some EU policies are blindly accepted without understanding how they would affect small communities. People's letters and complaints often do not reach EU institutions. But people in Brussels are like me and you; they are there because we elected them. We, the Commissioners, are responsible for the public image of the EC, as it should be in every democratic society. The European Parliament has mechanisms and also puts pressure on the Commission when we start some initiatives. When it comes to the European budget that is being debated right now, it is actually an instrument – it is what we can give ordinary people. The fact that the EU institutions have existed for almost 60 years and your country has joined relatively soon, as well as Poland, is due to the successful EU model.”

As a top example of successful communication in Europe, a comment by EC spokesperson Margaritis Schinas was given. Jokingly he interpreted the case with the Bulgarian cow that crossed the Bulgarian-Serbian border, then returned to Bulgaria and her life was spared despite European directives that do not allow uncontrolled movement of domestic animals across state borders. Schinas comment was related to the current topic of Brexit: "Long live Penka the cow! It is good when you leave the EU and then you can go back! "

English version: Alexander Markov