{"id":7848,"date":"2026-06-12T13:42:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T10:42:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/2026\/30-years-since-the-sofia-declaration-1996-results-and-opportunities-for-new-initiatives\/"},"modified":"2026-10-03T17:14:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T14:14:36","slug":"30-years-since-the-sofia-declaration-1996-results-and-opportunities-for-new-initiatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/2026\/30-years-since-the-sofia-declaration-1996-results-and-opportunities-for-new-initiatives\/","title":{"rendered":"30 years since the Sofia Declaration (1996): results and opportunities for new initiatives"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"7848\" class=\"elementor elementor-7848 elementor-6899\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-185aab7 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"185aab7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5ba6d4f\" data-id=\"5ba6d4f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-84f8fbe elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"84f8fbe\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e014226\" data-id=\"e014226\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-8184a2c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8184a2c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-26e1717\" data-id=\"26e1717\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c97b06 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6c97b06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"899\" src=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/kristian-vigenin-pred-france-24-pobedata-na-donald-tramp-e-e1781260852732.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-2622\" alt=\"Kristian Vigenin: The BSP must keep its face in government and carry out internal reforms\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0eec2ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0eec2ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">30 years since the Sofia Declaration (1996): results and opportunities for new initiatives<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae53c8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"ae53c8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-0cb2b69 elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-calendar\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M12 192h424c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v260c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V204c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12zm436-44v-36c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48h-48V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H160V12c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v52H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v36c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h424c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>12\/06\/2026<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-fc5baae elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-clock\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm0 448c-110.5 0-200-89.5-200-200S145.5 56 256 56s200 89.5 200 200-89.5 200-200 200zm61.8-104.4l-84.9-61.7c-3.1-2.3-4.9-5.9-4.9-9.7V116c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h32c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v141.7l66.8 48.6c5.4 3.9 6.5 11.4 2.6 16.8L334.6 349c-3.9 5.3-11.4 6.5-16.8 2.6z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-time\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>13:42<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-97da24a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"97da24a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-51f234f\" data-id=\"51f234f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-887969d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"887969d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Kristian Vigenin, BSP MEP, member of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27a7015 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"27a7015\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c737ee2 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c737ee2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Sofia Declaration on Good-Neighbourly Relations, Stability, Security and Cooperation in the Balkans, adopted on 7 July 1996, holds a special place in the political history of South-East Europe. It is among the first regional documents after the end of the Cold War and the initial phase of the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia to set out the ambition of turning the Balkans from a space of division into a space of cooperation, connectivity and European perspective. <\/p>\n<p>Seen from a distance of three decades, the declaration is striking in its broad strategic scope. It covers almost all the key topics that still shape the region&#8217;s agenda today: good-neighbourly relations, confidence- and security-building measures, transport, energy and telecommunications connectivity, trade and investment, cross-border cooperation, environmental protection, cultural and educational ties, and cooperation in justice and the fight against cross-border crime. <\/p>\n<p>The most important conclusion is that a significant part of the declaration&#8217;s goals have been taken forward in subsequent regional and European formats. It is particularly telling that the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) was launched in Sofia in 1996, and its aim to this day is to strengthen good-neighbourly relations, stability and cooperation in the region. Its institutional vehicle is the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), which defines its role as a service to regional cooperation and the Euro-Atlantic integration of South-East Europe.  <\/p>\n<h2><strong>I. What has been achieved so far on the goals of the Sofia Declaration <\/strong><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Establishing a regional framework for political dialogue<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The first major achievement is that the region now has a lasting architecture for political communication and coordination. If in 1996 the declaration marked the start of new multilateral cooperation, today this logic is institutionalised through the SEECP and the RCC. This in itself is a significant result: political dialogue in South-East Europe no longer develops only reactively, in times of crisis, but within established formats.  <\/p>\n<p>It is also telling that in September 2025 the foreign ministers of the SEECP countries marked 30 years of cooperation at a meeting co-organised by the RCC and the Bulgarian SEECP Chairmanship. This underlines both the durability of the process and Bulgaria&#8217;s continuing importance in it. <\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong>Progress on the region&#8217;s European perspective<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The second major line of progress relates to European integration. The Sofia Declaration speaks of developing regional cooperation in a European perspective. Today this perspective has taken institutional shape: some of the countries in the wider South-East European area are already members of the European Union, and for the Western Balkan countries European integration remains the main strategic reference point.  <\/p>\n<p>The regional economic integration of the Western Balkans is being developed through the Common Regional Market (CRM), defined as a regionally owned framework based on EU rules and standards, aimed at removing barriers and moving closer to the EU Single Market. The second Common Regional Market Action Plan for 2025-2028 was signed in October 2024 at the Berlin Process summit. <\/p>\n<p>This shows that the 1996 idea of economic and political convergence with Europe has now become a concrete programme with implementation mechanisms.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong>Developing connectivity and economic cooperation<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The third major group of results is in connectivity. The Sofia Declaration gives special attention to transport, telecommunications and energy infrastructure, trade, investment and cross-border cooperation. This is where we see some of the most tangible results of recent decades.  <\/p>\n<p>The Berlin Process continues to be one of the key international platforms for promoting regional cooperation, security and economic growth in the Western Balkans. In parallel, the Common Regional Market covers not only trade and investment but also a regional dimension of industrial and digital connectivity. This corresponds directly to the declaration&#8217;s original vision of economic convergence and infrastructure development.  <\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><strong>Developing cooperation on security and law enforcement<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Significant progress has also been made on security, justice and the fight against cross-border crime, areas clearly identified in the declaration. Today&#8217;s regional agenda still includes issues such as illegal trafficking, organised crime, border management, migration and institutional resilience. This shows that the 1996 assessment of the need for joint action was entirely realistic and far-sighted.  <\/p>\n<h2><strong>II. Which elements of the declaration can serve as a basis for new initiatives <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Thirty years on, the declaration should be seen not only as a historical document, but also as a conceptual basis for a new stage of regional cooperation. The following areas remain particularly relevant: <\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Good-neighbourliness based on practical, measurable cooperation<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The declaration places good-neighbourliness at the heart of regional stability. Today this can be developed through a pragmatic approach: not only political declarations, but real joint projects, measurable results and coordination mechanisms. This includes joint infrastructure projects, harmonised border procedures, joint responses to natural disasters and new networks between administrations, universities and local authorities.  <\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong>Cross-border cooperation in an extended format<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The cross-border cooperation set out in the declaration can now be built upon through:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>integrated border crossings and digitalisation of border procedures;<\/li>\n<li>cross-border economic zones and logistics corridors;<\/li>\n<li>joint management of water resources, fires, floods and industrial risks;<\/li>\n<li>shared tourist, cultural and educational routes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong>Infrastructure connectivity extended to digital connectivity<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The declaration speaks of transport, telecommunications and energy. In today&#8217;s context this should be read more broadly: alongside classic physical infrastructure, digital connectivity is also needed, meaning high-speed networks, compatible digital services, cybersecurity, data centres, data exchange and compatible regulatory regimes. <\/p>\n<p>This area is particularly important because the Common Regional Market already includes a digital dimension, and the European agenda puts digital transformation at the heart of economic convergence.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><strong>Artificial intelligence and new technologies<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Although artificial intelligence was naturally not a topic in 1996, the logic of the declaration (convergence of standards, technology transfer, capacity building and integration into the European space) allows it to serve as a basis for a new line of regional cooperation on artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n<p>Such a line could include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>a regional network of universities and research centres on AI;<\/li>\n<li>joint training programmes;<\/li>\n<li>ethical and regulatory frameworks compatible with European standards;<\/li>\n<li>pilot AI solutions in public administration, healthcare, transport, border management and energy;<\/li>\n<li>shared infrastructure for innovation, data and testing environments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li><strong>Humanitarian, educational and cultural dimension<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>An underestimated but extremely important area is the humanitarian dimension: youth exchanges, scientific contacts, cultural cooperation, media, combating negative stereotypes and encouraging direct links between citizens. This is an area where relatively small political investments can have a significant long-term effect. <\/p>\n<h2><strong>III. The countries&#8217; relations with the EU and the areas where Bulgaria can take the lead  <\/strong><strong> <\/strong><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>The current framework of relations with the EU<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Relations between the countries of the region and the European Union are now highly differentiated. Some South-East European countries are EU members; for the Western Balkan countries the main instruments are the enlargement process, the Berlin Process, the Common Regional Market and a number of sectoral frameworks related to transport, energy, digitalisation and security. The European perspective remains the region&#8217;s main foreign policy reference point.  <\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong>Areas where Bulgaria can take a leading role<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><strong>a) Connectivity and infrastructure<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Bulgaria has a natural geographical advantage as a country at the crossroads between the European Union, the Black Sea region, Turkey and the Western Balkans. This gives it grounds to be among the leading countries on transport corridors, logistics, border infrastructure and trans-European connectivity. <\/p>\n<h3><strong>b) Energy and energy security<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Bulgaria can be an important factor in the regional conversation on energy diversification, energy security, grid connectivity and the green transition. This is an area where the country has the potential to act as a link between European policies and regional needs. <\/p>\n<h3><strong>c) Digital connectivity and digital transformation<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>This is one of the most promising new areas for Bulgarian leadership. According to the 2025 Digital Decade Country Report for Bulgaria, the country has well-developed connectivity and is building capacity in strategic technologies, including semiconductors and quantum technologies, although challenges remain in digital skills, cybersecurity and the digitalisation of businesses. <\/p>\n<p>On this basis, Bulgaria can propose regional initiatives in areas such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>digital public services;<\/li>\n<li>cyber resilience;<\/li>\n<li>exchange of good practices in GovTech; \u2022 regional innovation networks;<\/li>\n<li>digital skills and training.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>d) Bulgaria as a regional hub for the development of artificial intelligence<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>This is where a new ambition can be formulated: for Bulgaria to position itself as a regional hub for the development of artificial intelligence in South-East Europe and the Western Balkans. This should not be understood only as a technological ambition, but as a comprehensive platform including: <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>research; \u2022 training of specialists;<\/li>\n<li>support for start-up ecosystems;<\/li>\n<li>cooperation between universities, industry and public institutions;<\/li>\n<li>developing EU-compatible rules for trustworthy and ethical AI.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Such a role would be realistic if combined with the European Digital Decade priorities and the region&#8217;s modernisation needs.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>e) Transfer of administrative and regulatory experience<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>As an EU Member State, Bulgaria can help the countries of the region through practical exchange of experience on transposing and applying European legislation, managing funds, regulatory alignment and institutional capacity.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>IV. What kind of cooperation can be launched today without overlapping with existing formats <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The main challenge today is not a lack of formats, but the need to connect them more effectively. The approach should therefore be network-based, not institutionally duplicating. <\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Main existing regional formats<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The most important existing initiatives are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP);<\/li>\n<li>Regional Cooperation Council (RCC);<\/li>\n<li>Berlin Process;<\/li>\n<li>Common Regional Market;<\/li>\n<li>Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong>An approach without overlap<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The best option would be for Bulgaria not to propose a new institution, but a coordination framework or thematic platforms under the political umbrella of the SEECP and in operational cooperation with the RCC. In this way: <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the SEECP remains the political framework;<\/li>\n<li>the RCC performs the coordination function;<\/li>\n<li>sectoral initiatives work on specific policies;<\/li>\n<li>Bulgaria takes on the role of initiator, host and connecting participant.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong>Possible new initiatives<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><strong>a) A regional network for digital connectivity<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>A platform between governments, regulators, universities and business for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>broadband connectivity;<\/li>\n<li>cloud and data services;<\/li>\n<li>interoperability of e-government services;<\/li>\n<li>cybersecurity;<\/li>\n<li>digital skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>b) A Balkan initiative on artificial intelligence<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>A practical format coordinated by Bulgaria, with possible elements:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>a regional AI forum;<\/li>\n<li>a training and reskilling centre;<\/li>\n<li>a testing environment for deploying AI in public services;<\/li>\n<li>a network of university and research laboratories;<\/li>\n<li>a regional ethical and regulatory dialogue on AI in line with European standards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>c) A platform for integrated border and logistics management<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>With a focus on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>border procedures;<\/li>\n<li>customs digitalisation;<\/li>\n<li>transport and trade corridors;<\/li>\n<li>facilitating the movement of people and goods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>d) Regional energy and climate resilience<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Joint action in areas such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>energy security;<\/li>\n<li>grid connectivity;<\/li>\n<li>risk management;<\/li>\n<li>resilience of critical infrastructure;<\/li>\n<li>green investment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>e) An academic, cultural and youth network<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>This would directly continue the humanitarian dimension of the Sofia Declaration through:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>exchanges between universities;<\/li>\n<li>joint master&#8217;s and doctoral programmes; \u2022 cultural routes and digital cultural heritage;<\/li>\n<li>youth leadership initiatives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Thirty years after the adoption of the Sofia Declaration, it can be concluded that the document has stood the test of time. Its core principles (good-neighbourliness, stability, security, economic connectivity, cultural exchange and a European perspective) have not only kept their relevance, but largely shape South-East Europe&#8217;s agenda today. <\/p>\n<p>In this sense, the declaration should not be seen only as a memorable political text, but as an early strategic framework for many of the processes that today find expression in the SEECP, the RCC, the Berlin Process and the Common Regional Market. The challenge at this stage is not so much creating new formats as connecting existing ones into a more effective network architecture. <\/p>\n<p>This is exactly where Bulgaria can offer added value: as an EU Member State, as an initiator of pragmatic regional solutions and as a potential hub for a new generation of cooperation, not only in transport, energy and security, but also in digital connectivity, innovation and artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e021b56 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e021b56\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-612c3c3\" data-id=\"612c3c3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-50fe3ea elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"50fe3ea\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4ad2208\" data-id=\"4ad2208\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9da2c43 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9da2c43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">More\n<br \/>News<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c81c073\" data-id=\"c81c073\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e27e5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-mfn_blog\" data-id=\"7e27e5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"mfn_blog.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"column_filters\"><div class=\"blog_wrapper isotope_wrapper clearfix\"><div class=\"posts_group lm_wrapper col-2 grid hide-more\"><article class=\"post post-item isotope-item clearfix post-8947 type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics category-legislation category-news-en\" style=\"\"><div class=\"date_label\">03\/10\/2026<\/div><div class=\"image_frame post-photo-wrapper scale-with-grid image\"><div class=\"image_wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/2026\/vigenin-europe-must-have-its-own-plan-for-peace-in-ukraine\/\"><div class=\"mask\"><\/div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"554\" src=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-evropa-plan-za-mir-v-ukrajna-960x554.webp\" class=\"scale-with-grid wp-post-image\" alt=\"Vigenin: Europe must have its own plan for peace in Ukraine\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-evropa-plan-za-mir-v-ukrajna-960x554.webp 960w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-evropa-plan-za-mir-v-ukrajna-500x288.webp 500w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-evropa-plan-za-mir-v-ukrajna-300x173.webp 300w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-evropa-plan-za-mir-v-ukrajna-768x442.webp 768w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-evropa-plan-za-mir-v-ukrajna-130x75.webp 130w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-evropa-plan-za-mir-v-ukrajna-480x276.webp 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width:767px) 480px, (max-width:960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><div class=\"image_links double\"><a class=\"zoom tooltip\" data-tooltip=\"Zoom\" data-position=\"left\" rel=\"prettyphoto\" href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-evropa-plan-za-mir-v-ukrajna.webp\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 26 26\"><defs><style>.path{fill:none;stroke:#333;stroke-miterlimit:10;stroke-width:1.5px;}<\/style><\/defs><circle cx=\"11.35\" cy=\"11.35\" r=\"6\" class=\"path\"><\/circle><line x1=\"15.59\" y1=\"15.59\" x2=\"20.65\" y2=\"20.65\" class=\"path\"><\/line><\/svg><\/a><a class=\"link tooltip\" data-tooltip=\"Details\" data-position=\"left\" href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/2026\/vigenin-europe-must-have-its-own-plan-for-peace-in-ukraine\/\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 26 26\"><defs><style>.path{fill:none;stroke:#333;stroke-miterlimit:10;stroke-width:1.5px;}<\/style><\/defs><g><path d=\"M10.17,8.76l2.12-2.12a5,5,0,0,1,7.07,0h0a5,5,0,0,1,0,7.07l-2.12,2.12\" class=\"path\"><\/path><path d=\"M15.83,17.24l-2.12,2.12a5,5,0,0,1-7.07,0h0a5,5,0,0,1,0-7.07l2.12-2.12\" class=\"path\"><\/path><line x1=\"10.17\" y1=\"15.83\" x2=\"15.83\" y2=\"10.17\" class=\"path\"><\/line><\/g><\/svg><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"post-desc-wrapper bg- has-custom-bg\" style=\"\"><div class=\"post-desc\"><div class=\"post-head\"><div class=\"post-meta clearfix\"><div class=\"author-date\"><span class=\"date\"><i class=\"icon-clock\"><\/i> <span class=\"post-date updated\">03\/10\/2026<\/span><\/span><\/div><div class=\"category\"><span class=\"cat-btn\">Category <i class=\"icon-down-dir\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><div class=\"cat-wrapper\"><ul class=\"post-categories\">\n\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/category\/legislation\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legislation<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/category\/news-en\/\" rel=\"category tag\">news<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"post-title\"><h4 class=\"entry-title \" itemprop=\"headline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/2026\/vigenin-europe-must-have-its-own-plan-for-peace-in-ukraine\/\">Vigenin: Europe must have its own plan for peace in Ukraine<\/a><\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article><article class=\"post post-item isotope-item clearfix post-8949 type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-politics category-legislation category-news-en\" style=\"\"><div class=\"date_label\">02\/10\/2026<\/div><div class=\"image_frame post-photo-wrapper scale-with-grid image\"><div class=\"image_wrapper\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/2026\/vigenin-there-is-no-room-for-new-concessions-from-bulgaria-to-north-macedonia\/\"><div class=\"mask\"><\/div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"554\" src=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-btv-otstapki-severna-makedoniya-960x554.webp\" class=\"scale-with-grid wp-post-image\" alt=\"Vigenin: There is no room for new concessions from Bulgaria to North Macedonia\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-btv-otstapki-severna-makedoniya-960x554.webp 960w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-btv-otstapki-severna-makedoniya-500x288.webp 500w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-btv-otstapki-severna-makedoniya-300x173.webp 300w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-btv-otstapki-severna-makedoniya-768x442.webp 768w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-btv-otstapki-severna-makedoniya-130x75.webp 130w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-btv-otstapki-severna-makedoniya-480x276.webp 480w, https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-btv-otstapki-severna-makedoniya.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width:767px) 480px, (max-width:960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><div class=\"image_links double\"><a class=\"zoom tooltip\" data-tooltip=\"Zoom\" data-position=\"left\" rel=\"prettyphoto\" href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/vigenin-btv-otstapki-severna-makedoniya.webp\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 26 26\"><defs><style>.path{fill:none;stroke:#333;stroke-miterlimit:10;stroke-width:1.5px;}<\/style><\/defs><circle cx=\"11.35\" cy=\"11.35\" r=\"6\" class=\"path\"><\/circle><line x1=\"15.59\" y1=\"15.59\" x2=\"20.65\" y2=\"20.65\" class=\"path\"><\/line><\/svg><\/a><a class=\"link tooltip\" data-tooltip=\"Details\" data-position=\"left\" href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/2026\/vigenin-there-is-no-room-for-new-concessions-from-bulgaria-to-north-macedonia\/\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 26 26\"><defs><style>.path{fill:none;stroke:#333;stroke-miterlimit:10;stroke-width:1.5px;}<\/style><\/defs><g><path d=\"M10.17,8.76l2.12-2.12a5,5,0,0,1,7.07,0h0a5,5,0,0,1,0,7.07l-2.12,2.12\" class=\"path\"><\/path><path d=\"M15.83,17.24l-2.12,2.12a5,5,0,0,1-7.07,0h0a5,5,0,0,1,0-7.07l2.12-2.12\" class=\"path\"><\/path><line x1=\"10.17\" y1=\"15.83\" x2=\"15.83\" y2=\"10.17\" class=\"path\"><\/line><\/g><\/svg><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"post-desc-wrapper bg- has-custom-bg\" style=\"\"><div class=\"post-desc\"><div class=\"post-head\"><div class=\"post-meta clearfix\"><div class=\"author-date\"><span class=\"date\"><i class=\"icon-clock\"><\/i> <span class=\"post-date updated\">02\/10\/2026<\/span><\/span><\/div><div class=\"category\"><span class=\"cat-btn\">Category <i class=\"icon-down-dir\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/span><div class=\"cat-wrapper\"><ul class=\"post-categories\">\n\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/category\/legislation\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legislation<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/category\/news-en\/\" rel=\"category tag\">news<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"post-title\"><h4 class=\"entry-title \" itemprop=\"headline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/2026\/vigenin-there-is-no-room-for-new-concessions-from-bulgaria-to-north-macedonia\/\">Vigenin: There is no room for new concessions from Bulgaria to North Macedonia<\/a><\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b71cea9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b71cea9\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>30 years since the Sofia Declaration (1996): results and opportunities for new initiatives Kristian Vigenin, BSP MEP, member of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2622,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,26,24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","category-news-en","category-society"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7848"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7848\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9812,"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7848\/revisions\/9812"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vigenin.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}