On November 1st, at the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ms. Monika Panayotova, Chairwoman of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds, met her German colleague Mr. Michael Stübgen – Chairman of the Friendship Group Germany – Bulgaria at the Bundestag. The meeting was also held with the participation of the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Bulgaria – H.E. Matthias Höpfner.

Mr. Michael Stübgen has been a member of the Friendship Group Germany – Bulgaria at the Bundestag for many years and from 2006 becomes its Chairman. He has been awarded the order of „Madarski Konnik” for his contribution to the development of the Bulgarian-German relations and the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria to the European Union.

The main aspects of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds activity have been discussed during the meeting. Attention has been given to the important role of the national parliaments in the light of the Lisbon Treaty. Amongst the topics of the conversation was also the progress achieved in the absorption of the European funds in the Republic of Bulgaria in the last year together with the changes undertaken that have led to the optimization and acceleration of the processes. The “Europe 2020” Strategy and the Bulgarian priorities in its context have also been touched. The preparation of our country for accession to the Schengen Area has also been discussed. Ms. Monika Panayotova presented the progress achieved by the Republic of Bulgaria in regards to the implementation of the Schengen Facility, that is closely followed by the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds, and pointed out the importance of the positive signal by the Bundestag and the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union in it concerning the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Schengen Area. The exceptionally good cooperation established between the Bulgarian and German institutions has been highlighted during the conversation.