18/03/2026
Vigenin organises a discussion: ‘The European Union at two speeds? The Challenges for Bulgaria”
26/02/2026
Vigenin: Europe’s strength lies in its ability to bridge differences
28/02/2026Vigenin organises a discussion: ‘The European Union at two speeds? The Challenges for Bulgaria”
26/02/2026Vigenin: Europe’s strength lies in its ability to bridge differences
28/02/2026
Krum Zarkov: Only a fair Europe will be a safe Europe
Kristian Vigenin: Social cohesion is an investment in the stability of the continent
“Europe’s security comes from its unity, from the convergence between countries. Only a fair Europe will be a secure Europe.” The Challenges for Bulgaria”. The event was organized by the Bulgarian MEP from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the EP Kristian Vigenin, with the assistance of the Center for European and International Studies (CEMS) Foundation. The discussion was held on the initiative of the Bulgarian Alternative for Bulgarian Revival (ABV – Alternative for Bulgarian Revival), part of the BSP – UNITED LEFT coalition.
Krum Zarkov added that ideas like “two speeds” “formalize division and legitimise it”. He stressed that “driving at a faster speed… buys time but also increases the risk of disaster” and that Europe’s strength lies precisely in the procedures that lead to consensus and sustainable solutions.
He was adamant that “it is of utmost importance for Bulgaria’s national security that Europe remains united” and Bulgaria should defend the position that “it is of key importance for the security of Europe itself to remain united”. In the context of increased discussions on armaments, he warned, “We will not guarantee security with gunpowder factories, with billions for armaments.”
“The European Union is facing a choice which is not between “faster” and “slower” integration, but between fragmentation and strategic unity”, MEP Christian Wigenin said at the opening of the discussion. “The European Union has never been just a union of interests. This union is based on law. It is not military power, not the size of the economy, but the law that guarantees a level playing field,” Vigenin stressed. In his words, Europe’s strength stems from the fact that “small and big countries sit at the same table under the same rules”.
Vigenin also emphasized the social dimension of the European project. “For millions of Europeans, Europe means the protection of labour, of social rights, of human dignity”, he noted. In his words, the risk today is not so much institutional divisions as social divisions within the Union. “Europe cannot be strong on the outside while it is divided on the inside.” Social cohesion is not a cost but a strategic investment in the stability of the continent.”
Plamena Request from the ABV emphasised the risk of a permanent institutional division and stressed: “Reform – yes, division – no”.She reminded that the European project is built on the principles of solidarity and equality and warned that the “two-speed” model could lead to a real division between centre and periphery, including in access to investment, innovation and education programmes.
ABV Chairman Rumen Petkov asked the question – whether the two speeds or more speeds lead to more strategic advantage or more division. According to him, it is important whether it is a question of “willingness or opportunity” to participate. He urged Bulgaria to work out a real working position, not in principle.
MEP Tsvetelina Penkova stressed that the debate “is not theoretical” and that “unfortunately, we see it in practice”. She pointed to the differences in electricity prices between Northern and South-Eastern Europe as an example of a real divide and stressed the need for greater connectivity and the elimination of fragmentation in the single market. In her words, “Europe’s solidarity is measured by economic growth, by real connectivity and by real social policy” and the coming months will be a test for cohesion policy and the common budget.
The chairman of the Youth Union in the BSP and MP Gabriel Valkov noted that the European Union “is originally set to be multi-speed”, pointing to examples such as Schengen and the Eurozone. He believes, however, that “In Bulgaria we are often observers of processes, not direct participants” and insisted the country to be among those who “set the direction”.
During the discussion, participants raised questions about foreign policy, Bulgaria’s role in decision-making processes, and the need for our country to take a clear and active stance on specific initiatives rather than merely acting as an observer. Among them were Assoc. Natalia Kiselova, Chairperson of the BSP-United Left Parliamentary Group, Assoc. Kliment Ohridski”, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Boneva, Head of the Department of International Economics and Politics at the UNWE, Georgi Pirinski, Chairman of the Solidarity Society Foundation, Lyubomir Kyuchukov, Director of the Foundation “Institute of Economics and International Relations” (IIER), Dr. Milena Angelova – Secretary General of the Industrial Capital Association of Bulgaria (ICAB) and member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), prof. Alexander Tomov – Chairman of the party “Bulgarian Social Democracy-Eurolevice” – part of the coalition “BSP – UNITED LEVITSA” , politician and expert Zinaida Zlatanova, the Rector of the University of Telecommunications and Posts prof. Prof. Miglena Temelkova, former Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy Ivan Krastev, sociologist Parvan Simeonov, politician and diplomat Dr. Meglena Plugchieva.
The common message from the forum was that the future of the European Union cannot be built on a logic of division and circles of belonging. “The time has come for different generations and people with different political convictions in Bulgaria to work out together a national position – where the European Union is going and what it should be”, Kristian Vigenin concluded at the end of the forum.
