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SOFIA/LUXEMBOURG – Bulgaria welcomes the efforts of the European Commission (EC) and the presidency of the European Council to introduce legislative measures aimed at reducing administrative burdens and simplifying the regulatory framework. This was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the conclusion of the “General Affairs” Council meeting in Luxembourg.
Bulgaria was represented by the permanent representative, Ambassador Rumen Alexandrov. The ministers discussed the draft conclusions from the upcoming European Council meeting on October 23 of this year, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2028–2034, the packages for simplifying European Union (EU) legislation, the Article 7 procedure of the Treaty on European Union against Hungary, as well as the establishment of a European democratic shield.
In the context of preparing for the upcoming European Council meeting, Bulgaria emphasized the importance of enhancing the competitiveness of the European economy by ensuring affordable energy, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and stimulating investments in innovation, green, and digital technologies. In the area of climate policy, the country insisted on a pragmatic and fair approach to the green transition and in setting the EU’s climate target for 2040, as well as on postponing the entry into force and revision of the new emissions trading system for transport and buildings (ETS2) to avoid excessive burdens on households and businesses.
In the discussion on the future MFF, Bulgaria also highlighted the need to ensure that it provides sufficient resources for key EU policies – cohesion, agriculture, competitiveness, and security. Bulgaria underscored the strategic importance of the EU’s eastern border, which should include the Black Sea regions and the need to address their specific challenges. The significance of the budget for military mobility within the Connecting Europe Facility was additionally emphasized, given the growing importance of strengthening common defense capabilities. Regarding competitiveness, Bulgaria insisted that all member states and regions have access to the new fund.
Bulgaria expressed its readiness to actively participate in building the European democratic shield – an initiative aimed at countering disinformation, external interference, and hybrid threats.
The day before, during the meeting in Luxembourg on interregional security and connectivity of the foreign ministers of EU member states and Eastern Partnership countries, the Black Sea region, and Central Asia, Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev stated that Bulgaria welcomes and intends to actively participate in the establishment of a Maritime Security Center in the Black Sea as one of the main objectives outlined in the new Strategic Approach. (October 21)