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National Assembly
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Members of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight European Funds met with Bulgarian Members of the European Parliament
20/01/2012
On January 20, 2012, Mr Andrey Kovachev, Mr Vladimir Urutchev, Mr Dimitar Stoyanov, Ms Iliana Yotova, Mr Kristian Vigenin, Ms Maria Nedelcheva and Mr Metin Kazak paid visit to the National Assembly at the invitation of Ms Monica Panayotova, Chiarwoman of CEAOEF. The meeting was also attended by National Assembly’s President, Ms Tsacheva, Mr Konstantin Dimitrov - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Council for European Affairs, Mr Dobroslav Dimitrov, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defence, deputy chairpersons and committee members in the National Assembly.
The initiative to organize regular meetings in this format occurred exactly one year ago - on January 21, 2011, when the strategic goals and priorities for 2011 were discussed between the Bulgarian parliamentarians and colleagues from the European Parliament and the executive branch. In this regard, Ms Panayotova welcomed the guests and stressed the importance of holding such meetings. The approach of the National Assembly, in her view, strengthens the "trialogue" with the aim to achieve consolidated coordination on key topics from the European agenda during each EU Presidency.
As an active participant in this "trialogue", Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs presented key areas in European affairs on which the Government of Bulgaria will focus its efforts during the Danish EU Presidency. He outlined six key areas. Firstly, Mr. Dimitrov placed the economic and financial issues in particular the conclusion of the negotiations on the "Treaty of stability, coordination and management in economic and monetary union". The development of discussions on the next multiannual financial framework 2014-2020 and the country's participation in them is also mentioned as a top priority. In this context, Bulgaria’s role is vital as it needs to strongly stress the necessity for cohesion policy to maintain its central place in the EU budget, since it can unlock the potential of Bulgaria’s regions that will help to enhance the competitiveness of the economy in the country. The reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and the focus that it puts on so-called measures for "green agriculture" is also outlined as a priority topic for Bulgaria. During 2012, Bulgaria faces hard work ahead regarding one of the strategic goals of Bulgaria – membership in the Schengen visa-free space on the basis of two-phase approach. In conclusion, Mr. Dimitrov focused on the topic of EU enlargement. He put a particular focus on Bulgaria’s positive attitude on Serbia’s application for EU membership and expressed hope our country to be among the first to ratify the accession treaty of Croatia EU.
Bulgarian MEPs, on their part, highlighted to the rest the important goals they have set for 2012, and also potential areas of joint action. Mr Andrey Kovachev focused on one of the main issues still to be developed with some amount of intensity also in 2012 - the debates on the multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020. He explained that by the end of the Danish Presidency, member-states will probably reach an agreement on certain basic principles of the new EU budget. Mr Kovachev said that next week there will be a review of his report on the MFP concerning EU regional policy in the Regional Development Committee at the European Parliament. Mr Kovachev will present a working paper containing the main points that will be the subject of thorough discussion in the coming months. Among them are the amount of funds for regional policy, the idea of a fixed concentration of binding share investments in specific goals, and determining the ceiling on investment in this policy as a share of GDP in the country. The debate continues, noted Mr Kovachev, in collaboration with the Budget Committee at EP, with speakers among them including the Bulgarian MEP Mr Ivaylo Kalfin (Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats) and the German counterpart Mr Byoge Raymer (from the EPP).
The other topic that was discussed was the Eastern Partnership and EU relations with neighbouring countries. Ms Monica Panayotova, Chairwoman of the CEAOEF used this opportunity to thank Mr Christian Vigenin on his election as President of EURONEST and to highlight the special role of this position in strengthening the cooperation in the region. Mr Vigenin, on his part, stressed that the country must express a clear position on the Southeast Europe’s integration, because the dynamics of this process adds value to the role of Bulgaria in the region.
During the discussion participants have put focus on the priorities of the Danish Presidency regarding "green" economy and growth. Mr Vladimir Urutchev’s focus was on the new Directive on energy efficiency. He explained that the directive has attracted an interest at the EP level and nearly half of EP members have proposed amendments. In this respect, the Bulgaria needs to clarify its position on the issue, because energy is a constantly changing issue. Ms Monica Panayotova assured Mr Urutchev that in 2012 CEAOEF and National Assembly will give serious attention to the "energy" issues.
Metin Kazak, on his part, identified the common commercial policy as a possible area of joint action. He explained that being part of the EU, Bulgaria has an important role in forming and concluding agreements on bilateral trade cooperation, especially with countries part of the Eastern Partnership. He pointed out that after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the Parliament is an equal participant and co-legislator with the Council on the conclusion of such agreements.
Ms Iliana Yotova and Ms Maria Nedelcheva addressed the issue of reform of the CAP and fisheries policy. Ms Yotova noted that the new powers of national parliaments after Lisbon, provides the ability to participate in shaping the priorities of the new common policy on fisheries. In this regard, she stated the importance of the proposed Advisory Board for the Black Sea by 2015 with the goal to recommend policy to safeguard and promote cooperation between Romania, Bulgaria and its Black Sea neighbours. Mrs Nedelcheva, on her part, claimed as a primary goal a fair approach to the allocation of direct payments while taking into account the specific conditions of individual Member States. She welcomed the proposed greater flexibility in setting priorities under the CAP pillar - "Rural Development". Mrs Nedelcheva has turned participants’ attention to the fact that the new CAP will be based on regionalization. In this context, Bulgaria should clearly define its sub-regions to ensure a fair allocation, concluded Ms Nedelcheva.
In conclusion, the CEAOEF Chairwoman assured MEPs that the generated advices and ideas for joint initiatives will be conveyed to all stakeholders so as to ensure their most successful application. National Assembly’s President, Ms Tsacheva closed the discussion, urging participants to focus their efforts in such direction that will meet citizens' expectations!
The initiative to organize regular meetings in this format occurred exactly one year ago - on January 21, 2011, when the strategic goals and priorities for 2011 were discussed between the Bulgarian parliamentarians and colleagues from the European Parliament and the executive branch. In this regard, Ms Panayotova welcomed the guests and stressed the importance of holding such meetings. The approach of the National Assembly, in her view, strengthens the "trialogue" with the aim to achieve consolidated coordination on key topics from the European agenda during each EU Presidency.
As an active participant in this "trialogue", Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs presented key areas in European affairs on which the Government of Bulgaria will focus its efforts during the Danish EU Presidency. He outlined six key areas. Firstly, Mr. Dimitrov placed the economic and financial issues in particular the conclusion of the negotiations on the "Treaty of stability, coordination and management in economic and monetary union". The development of discussions on the next multiannual financial framework 2014-2020 and the country's participation in them is also mentioned as a top priority. In this context, Bulgaria’s role is vital as it needs to strongly stress the necessity for cohesion policy to maintain its central place in the EU budget, since it can unlock the potential of Bulgaria’s regions that will help to enhance the competitiveness of the economy in the country. The reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and the focus that it puts on so-called measures for "green agriculture" is also outlined as a priority topic for Bulgaria. During 2012, Bulgaria faces hard work ahead regarding one of the strategic goals of Bulgaria – membership in the Schengen visa-free space on the basis of two-phase approach. In conclusion, Mr. Dimitrov focused on the topic of EU enlargement. He put a particular focus on Bulgaria’s positive attitude on Serbia’s application for EU membership and expressed hope our country to be among the first to ratify the accession treaty of Croatia EU.
Bulgarian MEPs, on their part, highlighted to the rest the important goals they have set for 2012, and also potential areas of joint action. Mr Andrey Kovachev focused on one of the main issues still to be developed with some amount of intensity also in 2012 - the debates on the multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020. He explained that by the end of the Danish Presidency, member-states will probably reach an agreement on certain basic principles of the new EU budget. Mr Kovachev said that next week there will be a review of his report on the MFP concerning EU regional policy in the Regional Development Committee at the European Parliament. Mr Kovachev will present a working paper containing the main points that will be the subject of thorough discussion in the coming months. Among them are the amount of funds for regional policy, the idea of a fixed concentration of binding share investments in specific goals, and determining the ceiling on investment in this policy as a share of GDP in the country. The debate continues, noted Mr Kovachev, in collaboration with the Budget Committee at EP, with speakers among them including the Bulgarian MEP Mr Ivaylo Kalfin (Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats) and the German counterpart Mr Byoge Raymer (from the EPP).
The other topic that was discussed was the Eastern Partnership and EU relations with neighbouring countries. Ms Monica Panayotova, Chairwoman of the CEAOEF used this opportunity to thank Mr Christian Vigenin on his election as President of EURONEST and to highlight the special role of this position in strengthening the cooperation in the region. Mr Vigenin, on his part, stressed that the country must express a clear position on the Southeast Europe’s integration, because the dynamics of this process adds value to the role of Bulgaria in the region.
During the discussion participants have put focus on the priorities of the Danish Presidency regarding "green" economy and growth. Mr Vladimir Urutchev’s focus was on the new Directive on energy efficiency. He explained that the directive has attracted an interest at the EP level and nearly half of EP members have proposed amendments. In this respect, the Bulgaria needs to clarify its position on the issue, because energy is a constantly changing issue. Ms Monica Panayotova assured Mr Urutchev that in 2012 CEAOEF and National Assembly will give serious attention to the "energy" issues.
Metin Kazak, on his part, identified the common commercial policy as a possible area of joint action. He explained that being part of the EU, Bulgaria has an important role in forming and concluding agreements on bilateral trade cooperation, especially with countries part of the Eastern Partnership. He pointed out that after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the Parliament is an equal participant and co-legislator with the Council on the conclusion of such agreements.
Ms Iliana Yotova and Ms Maria Nedelcheva addressed the issue of reform of the CAP and fisheries policy. Ms Yotova noted that the new powers of national parliaments after Lisbon, provides the ability to participate in shaping the priorities of the new common policy on fisheries. In this regard, she stated the importance of the proposed Advisory Board for the Black Sea by 2015 with the goal to recommend policy to safeguard and promote cooperation between Romania, Bulgaria and its Black Sea neighbours. Mrs Nedelcheva, on her part, claimed as a primary goal a fair approach to the allocation of direct payments while taking into account the specific conditions of individual Member States. She welcomed the proposed greater flexibility in setting priorities under the CAP pillar - "Rural Development". Mrs Nedelcheva has turned participants’ attention to the fact that the new CAP will be based on regionalization. In this context, Bulgaria should clearly define its sub-regions to ensure a fair allocation, concluded Ms Nedelcheva.
In conclusion, the CEAOEF Chairwoman assured MEPs that the generated advices and ideas for joint initiatives will be conveyed to all stakeholders so as to ensure their most successful application. National Assembly’s President, Ms Tsacheva closed the discussion, urging participants to focus their efforts in such direction that will meet citizens' expectations!
