Members of parliament, MEPs and ministers will discuss Bulgaria's priorities in the EU's long-term budget

The Head of the Delegation of Bulgarian Socialists in the European Parliament, Kristian Vigenin, met the Chair of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of European Funds, Galin Durev, at the National Assembly.

European affairs in the National Assembly

The topics they discussed included a stronger presence of European affairs in the work of the National Assembly and restoring systematic cooperation between members of the National Assembly and members of the European Parliament. Vigenin noted that, as a former chair of the committee and a current MEP, the topic matters to him in particular.

Under the Rules of Organisation and Procedure of the National Assembly, MEPs can take part in parliamentary debates when the Prime Minister informs members about the decisions of the European Council and when the government presents Bulgaria’s priorities for each six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU. They also have the right to take part in every meeting of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of European Funds in an advisory capacity.

Regular joint discussions

They agreed to hold regular joint discussions on topics that are priorities for both the National Assembly and the European Parliament. These include the EU’s next seven-year budget, on which Bulgaria’s interests need to be clearly defined and defended. Durev and Vigenin said they intend to hold the first discussion on this topic in September, with the participation of representatives of the executive. Enlargement policy and Bulgaria’s positions towards individual candidate countries were also raised as a topic on which unity of action should be sought at all levels.

According to Vigenin, more systematic interaction between the National Assembly and Bulgarian MEPs can help Bulgaria define and defend its positions in the European Union more clearly.

Political stability and European priorities

He pointed out that the stabilisation of the political situation in the country makes a more systematic approach and a more convincing Bulgarian role in shaping European policies possible. Vigenin expressed his satisfaction with the understanding, approach and ambition of the committee chair and stressed the committee’s importance in this process.