"The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is a privilege for Bulgaria, but it is also a great responsibility," said Ms. Adela Pashkova, Charge d'affaires a.i. of the Bulgarian Embassy in Tirana at the outset of the presentation of the Presidency program of her country in Tirana on Tuesday.

Bulgaria took over the rotating Presidency of the EU Council on January 1 this year, a decade after its accession to the Club for the first time. So for six months Bulgaria will be the main driving force for the tasks on the agenda of the EU, it will perform the functions of a mediator, a political leader, a representative and a coordinator.

"We are prepared for this, we realize it will not be easy, but we know what we want to achieve and we can do it. Our goal is to respond to the real needs of European citizens and turn challenges into opportunities," Ms. Pashkova said while unveiling the priorities of Bulgaria's EU Presidency in Tirana in the presence of Albanian senior officials, deputies, representatives of the diplomatic corps in Tirana, journalists and other invitees.

In Sofia the official opening ceremony of the Bulgarian EU Presidency was held on 11th of January, and the European Council President, Donald Tusk, received standing ovations as he delivered his whole speech in Bulgarian language and recited a poem by the famous Bulgarian poet, novelist and playwright, Ivan Vazov often referred to as "the Patriarch of Bulgarian literature".

"As a Pole I understand well how much work, courage and determination it cost you, Bulgarians, to achieve European success for your fatherland. No one gave you anything for free. It was you, in the first place, who were the authors of this historic breakthrough, this "ever newer beauty", Tusk said in his speech.

�United We Stand Strong�

In her resume of the priorities the Bulgarian Charge d'affaires in Tirana Ms. Pashkova pointed out that during the first six months of 2018 Bulgaria will try to achieve a balance between the specific priorities of the EU member countries and the strategic partnerships of the block for the achievement of significant results with regards to the European issues through active dialogue with citizens and in response to their expectations for more security, sustainable economic growth and stronger presence of EU on the international scene.

"It is not accidental that we chose �United We Stand Strong� for our slogan. This is the motto of our National Assembly and of the Coat of Arms of the Republic of Bulgaria. This will be the slogan of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2018, which our country will follow in each action as rotational President. We will work for unity between the member states, as well as between the European institutions," she quoted the Bulgarian Presidency program as emphasizing.

In a special reference on the Western Balkans, she revealed that Bulgaria would work actively with the Council of Europe on framing the ambitious document on the region, which is expected to be published in February. "This strategic message will also be proclaimed in the Summit of the leaders of the Western Balkans," said Ms. Pavlova. In addition she said that Bulgaria will work hard to prepare the concrete roadmaps towards the EU of each Western Balkans country which will show the achievements, the challenges and ways how to overcome them.



Bulgaria's Four Priorities in a Nutshell

1. Future of Europe and Young People

The future of Europe and of the young people � economic growth and social cohesion

Economic growth and social cohesion are key to the future of Europe. There is some good news for the Union in the forecasts � the European economy is speeding up, more jobs are being created, investment is growing, public finances are becoming stronger. Still, there are some challenges � high levels of debt, small increase in salaries. We shall overcome these challenges together. It is important that the member states' economies continue to grow, it is important that all EU states participate in the debate on the reforms of the Eurozone as equals, regardless of whether they are members of the latter or not.

The future of the Union is to continue the efforts for social cohesion. The Cohesion Policy provides a real added value for EU citizens and is a proven example of a working instrument for reducing the differences between us, which guarantees the success of the European model. This is why our Presidency will work for an active and constructive debate on the Multiannual Financial Framework. We are aware that the world is changing, and overcoming the challenges requires resources. We are convinced that we have to look for a balance between the new funds and the already existing ones, between the financial instruments and the grant financing.

Western Balkans

European Perspective and Connectivity of the Western Balkans

When talking about united Europe, we should not forget that the Western Balkans need a clear European perspective and connectivity between them and with the member states. The ambition of the Bulgarian Presidency is to achieve a clear action plan with each of the countries, without creating unrealistic expectations, but with concrete steps. This is the way to have long lasting peace, security and prosperity in the region.

The goal is to provide connectivity to the Western Balkan countries � transport, air, energy, educational and digital. Bulgaria invests consequent efforts in this direction, for example by promoting the digital policies of the EU among the countries in the Western Balkans through gradual reduction of roaming charges and by increasing the possibilities for broadband internet access.

Security and Stability

Security and stability in a strong and united Europe

Security and migration policies are some of the topics on which we need consensus and joint efforts. The Bulgarian Presidency will work towards long lasting and fair solutions in the area of asylum policy, for efficient policies for return and readmission, for a balanced approach between short and long-term measures aiming at the source of migration, not only at the consequences thereof.

European citizens need security and stability and without these, European values are difficult to attain. This is why great emphasis in our efforts will be given to security, whereby we will focus on strengthening the border controls, on the exchange of information between the various bodies, and on prevention. It is important to work towards efficient, fast and fair justice.

Digital Economy

Digital economy and skills for the future

Europe�s role in the rapidly developing world is directly linked to the competitiveness of the European economy. The single digital market, the access to innovation, the link between education and the requirements of the future labour market are at the basis of technological development. It is not by chance they are a major element of the programme of the Trio of the Presidencies - Estonia-Bulgaria-Austria and a priority of the Bulgarian Presidency. Electronic communication, providing transboundary services particularly to the SMEs, copy rights, e-privacy and cyber security are some of the items on the agenda that need to be decided upon. Linking the education of the young people with learning �the skills for the future� is the way to achieve a competitive, flexible and successful Europe.

The focus of all our action will be young people. We are responsible to them where we are leading our Union. They are our common investment in the future; they should be given the opportunities of education and development. Fostering early childhood development, modernization of the European educational systems and curricula, strengthening social inclusion through formal and informal learning � these are some of the tasks that should not be put off. Today, in the time of information and communication technologies, more than ever before it is a conditio sine qua non for these technologies to be widely introduced at all levels of the educational system.

The official presentation of the priorities of Bulgaria's EU Presidency by the Bulgarian Charge d'affaires in Tirana, Ms. Adela Pashkova, was followed by a cocktail hosted by her.