Vigenin: Bulgaria should be an active participant, not a passive observer, in EU-China relations

“The world is complex enough that we cannot afford the luxury of reducing relations between Europe and China to competition, suspicion or trade disputes alone.” This was stated by Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament during the conference “Understanding the Chinese model of governance and promoting the development of Chinese-Bulgarian relations”, held in Sofia.

The forum brought together representatives of Bulgarian and Chinese institutions, academia and the expert community. Participants included the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Bulgaria, H.E. Dai Qingli, the Chair of the BSP National Council Krum Zarkov, representatives of Capital Normal University in Beijing, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Xinhua news agency, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the University of National and World Economy, UniBIT, the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (KNSB) and other Bulgarian and Chinese experts.

In his speech, Vigenin stressed that relations between Europe and China should be based on pragmatism, mutual respect and constant dialogue. “The EU’s position is that China is a partner, an economic competitor and a systemic rival. These three terms are often quoted, but in my view the most important thing is not to forget the first word – partner,” he pointed out.

In his words, mature relations between major international players are not built on full agreement on every issue, but on the ability to talk openly, look for common interests and avoid the logic of new dividing lines. “A confident Europe is not afraid of dialogue. A confident Europe defends its interests, but does not turn every dispute into a geopolitical wall,” the MEP stressed.

According to Vigenin, Bulgaria has the potential to play a much more active role in developing relations between the European Union and China: “Bulgaria can be an active participant, not a passive observer. It is not enough to talk in general about good relations with China. We need a concrete agenda .” He believes our country should make use of its traditionally good bilateral relations, its EU membership and the opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, science, education, transport and high technology.

Vigenin singled out the development of artificial intelligence as an important topic for future cooperation. “Artificial intelligence is no longer just a technological issue. It is an economic, social, ethical, educational, labour and even civilisational issue. I have long argued that global rules on artificial intelligence are needed,” he said. The MEP expressed his conviction that this is precisely the area where the European Union and China can build an effective partnership in the interest of a more stable and predictable world order.

In conclusion, the MEP called for international law to remain the foundation of the world order. “If international law is replaced by the law of the strongest, everyone will lose, both large and small countries. Silence does not resolve differences, but neither does confrontation,” Kristian Vigenin summed up.