Vigenin: There is no room for new concessions from Bulgaria to North Macedonia

“There is no room for new concessions from Bulgaria regarding North Macedonia, because we have already done enough. There is no international pressure that can reverse a national position supported by literally the entire parliament, by all political formations, and shared by 99% of Bulgarian citizens.” This was stated by the Bulgarian MEP from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament Kristian Vigenin on bTV’s “Face to Face” programme. Answering a question, he pointed out that he expects American pressure to be directed rather at North Macedonia fulfilling its commitments, because that is the only way to speed up its accession to the EU.

North Macedonia and its European commitments

“In North Macedonia an environment has been created in which anyone who supports the country’s European path and the fulfilment of the commitments made is declared a traitor. These commitments are not to Bulgaria but to the European Union,” Vigenin said after his recent visit to the country. “In fact, the betrayal is Prime Minister Mickoski’s. Had he delivered what was agreed, North Macedonia would be on the threshold of membership, but instead negotiations have not started for four years,” he added.

EU regulation of artificial intelligence

On the regulation of artificial intelligence, Vigenin said that despite the criticism, the European Union has created a good regulatory framework. He recalled that he himself contributed to simplifying it this year, because there had been too many burdens on companies.

The MEP pointed out that all limits on the use of AI are there to protect citizens’ rights: “It is prohibited to use artificial intelligence to track people in real time, where they go and what they do. It is prohibited for artificial intelligence to monitor you at the workplace: whether you are tired, whether you are effective in your work.” Vigenin clarified that the aim is for this kind of control to be carried out by a human.

Artificial intelligence in urban planning

Vigenin also gave useful examples, which he shared with students at the discussion held at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy. He presented ways artificial intelligence can be used in design, in identifying streets and boulevards that become congested, and in identifying areas with so-called heat islands. Artificial intelligence can detect them and suggest ways of dealing with them.

“My core message has always been: technology must work for people, not people be sacrificed for technology. That is the goal we are pursuing at European level,” Vigenin said, summing up the topic.

The presidential campaign and the experience needed

On the course of the presidential campaign, he warned that naming one candidate as the favourite can create the impression that everything is a foregone conclusion and may affect voter turnout. In his view, the office of “president” should be held by someone with more political, life and professional experience, because it has a very specific function.

The murder of Iliyan Filipov and the campaign

Kristian Vigenin does not expect the murder of Iliyan Filipov to have a serious impact on the campaign. “Obviously some interests may have been affected for such a murder to happen. Insofar as the current government has announced that it is fighting the oligarchy, it is possible that this has its repercussions somewhere we do not see,” Vigenin suggested.