Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Lilyana Pavlova: Bulgaria takes the helm of the EU in rough seas with a host of challenges

БНР Новини
Photo: BTA

On the day of the official launch of the Bulgarian Presidency, Lilyana Pavlova, Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU gave an exclusive interview for Radio Bulgaria:

Minister Pavlova called the date 11 January historic: “What makes it a historic date is that 11 years after the country joined the EU, something that had been a dream and a cause for all Bulgarians, we now have the opportunity of taking the helm of the presidency of the ship called EU, and of the big European family in rough seas with a host of challenges. The most important tasks are in several directions, and top of the list is the security and stability of Europe. It is a task that passes through reaching accord on how to consolidate the external borders, the question of migrant relocation and how to work in this process more efficiently. The future of Europe, the future of the European budget – there are many topics that are upcoming in the days to come.”

The European Union’s motto is United in Diversity. In Minister Pavlova’s words, Bulgaria can be a model of tolerance in the region: “Bulgaria and we, from the Borissov cabinet have been working in the spirit and conveying a message of ethnic and religious tolerance for a third term of office. And I think we have demonstrated this many a time. We have been endeavouring to show, directly and indirectly, that being a country at a crossroads between East and West, Bulgaria is a country with traditions, with religious and cultural communities living together in friendship, good nehgbourhood and tolerance. This is our message to the Western Balkans – the only way to attain unity, to live together is tolerance.”

During the six months of its presidency, Bulgaria will be visited by thousands of guests who know nothing about the country.

“The country is a gem that has to be revealed, a country with a rich history and culture, but also wonderful people. Bulgaria is also an excellent place to invest. So we are presenting Bulgaria as a tourist destination, a country to invest in, but also as a reliable and stable partner in the Balkans and also for our European partners,” says in conclusion Lilyana Pavlova, Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU.


English version: Milena Daynova


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

D-r Tsvetan Tsenkov

A pediatrician is the chairman of the only polling station in Kuwait

Completely calm and normal, according to the law, the election day is taking place in the only open polling station in Kuwait. The Bulgarian community in the Arab country numbers about 300-350 people , mostly highly educated specialists in the fields..

published on 10/27/24 2:50 PM
The polling station in Brisbane

The Bulgarians living "Down Under" give their vote for hope

"The last one to quit wins. If we believe and want democracy in Bulgaria to win..., we must persevere, even though it's discouraging," Izabela Shopova from Brisbane, Australia tells Radio Bulgaria Nearly 6,000 people identified themselves as..

published on 10/27/24 2:05 PM

To be politically represented - the hopeless hope of the Bulgarian voter

On the threshold of the sixth early parliamentary elections in less than three years, the fatigue of the Bulgarian citizens from the administrative hopelessness is visible . This seems to be the case in the political arena as well - proof is the..

published on 10/27/24 9:35 AM