The Secretary General of the BICA Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milena Angelova, took part today in a forum dedicated to the implementation of the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee and the resolution of the Economic and Social Council of Bulgaria on the strategic approach of the European Union to the Black Sea Region. The event was held at the University of Economics - Varna and was part of the discussion with stakeholders on the topic "European and national perspectives for the Black Sea Strategy". The forum sent important messages not only to the Bulgarian and Romanian administrations, but also to the institutions of the European Union. The main emphasis was placed on the need to place the Black Sea Basin among the priorities of the European Union in the next programming period, with Bulgaria and Romania having a particular responsibility to be active initiators of this process. Real projects secured with financial resources are needed, including in the areas of maritime security, transport and energy connectivity, digital infrastructure, environmental monitoring, scientific research and sustainable economic development.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Meglena Plugchieva, Secretary for Foreign Policy of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, emphasized that the Black Sea region can no longer be viewed only as a geographical space, but as a strategic crossroads between Europe and Asia, where security, economy, energy, transport, digital connectivity, trade and ecology intersect. She stated that the war in Ukraine has shown categorically that the security of the Black Sea is an integral part of the security of Europe, and any attempt at destabilization in the region has direct consequences for the European economy, energy supplies, food security, freedom of navigation and migration.
“Bulgaria supports the three pillars of the strategy - security, stability and connectivity,” said Dr. Plugchieva. At the same time, she expressed a critical position that the document lacks specific indicators, deadlines for implementation and targeted resources for its implementation. According to her, the strategic approach must be transformed into a realistic, financially secured policy, bound by clear time horizons and concrete results. Dr. Plugchieva also emphasized the need for more active interaction between Bulgaria, Romania, the European institutions and Turkey, including through the establishment of the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub. According to her, the center should work to increase situational awareness, protect critical maritime infrastructure, respond to disasters, accidents and crises, as well as to strengthen environmental security.
Julian Popov, former Minister of Environment and Water of Bulgaria, defined the strategic approach to the Black Sea as a “form of awakening” - both for the European Union and the European Commission, as well as for Bulgaria and Romania. He raised the issue of the vulnerability of the EU’s Black Sea border and the insufficient attention that the region has received so far from the European institutions. “The strategic approach is a well-arranged document, but it is not provided with resources and is not linked to legal commitments,” emphasized Julian Popov. According to him, it is precisely this non-alignment that gives rise to justified criticism, but at the same time the document shows that Bulgaria and Romania can and should organize themselves more actively, without waiting for an external initiative. He pointed out that the two countries, together with other countries in the Black Sea region, should start a serious conversation about the role of the Black Sea in terms of security, economy, climate and environment.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milena Angelova, rapporteur of the European Economic and Social Committee on the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea and Secretary General of the BICA, emphasized that the forum in Varna is a continuation of the dialogue started in Constanta and represents a kind of bridge between the two key Black Sea cities. “The Black Sea, although it is a border of the European Union, does not receive enough attention, neither politically nor technologically, from the EU,” Assoc. Prof. Angelova pointed out. She emphasized that Bulgaria and Romania should be more active, working not only with each other, but also with the other countries in the region. "Not only Turkey, but also Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine can work together with us," she said, highlighting the need for more serious infrastructure, more concrete projects and real content of the strategic approach.
The discussion also included Plamen Dimitrov, President of the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions, Bogomil Nikolov, Executive Director of the Bulgarian National Association "Active Consumers", Fleet Admiral Prof. Kalin Kalinov, Rector of the Naval Academy "N. Y. Vaptsarov" - Varna, Prof. Maria Gavunelli, Professor of International Law and Deputy Director of the Athens Public International Law Center, Zornitsa Rusinova, President of the Economic and Social Council of Bulgaria, Elena Kalistru, President of the ECO Section of the EESC, and Rudi De Leeuw, President of the Group for the preparation of the EESC opinion on the EU's strategic approach to the Black Sea region.
The EESC opinion on the topic: "The European Union's strategic approach to the Black Sea region" can be viewed here.
