Bulgaria’s Schengen membership returns to the agenda of Europe. That was confirmed for RB by Italian Ambassador here H.E. Marco Conticelli. As of 1 July 2014 his country has taken over from Greece the rotational presidency of the EU for the next 6 months. The Italian ambassador presented downtown Sofia the priorities of the program one day before their official presentation at the EP in Brussels. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin took part in the forum too.

Italy is one of the Union’s founders and this is its 12^th presidency. At the same time it marks a new start due to a change of the EU institutions’ constitution after the EP election, held in May. On Tuesday the EP elected German socialist Martin Schulz as its chair for half a term –two and a half years, while on 16 July it is expected to approve Jean-Claude Juncker from EPP as a president of the EC for the next five years. This is a chance for a new start of the EU.

Mr. Conticelli has framed three major priorities of the Italian presidency: economic growth and employment, protection of citizens’ rights and a stronger EU role within global politics. Unemployment remains an issue, according to the diplomat, especially youth unemployment, as the overall number of unemployed exceeds 26 mln. Besides that the political crises knock on the EU door, from Ukraine to the Middle East and its energy security is at risk. The diplomat confirmed the clear stance of Italy on South Stream being a strategic diversification project: the state still upholds it, hoping it will become reality, but only in accordance with the EU legislative requirements. We also need a common migration policy and greater solidarity, including urgent steps, Conticelli is convinced, essential for external EU borders, such as Bulgaria and Italy.

The audio file contains a statement of H.E. Marco Conticelli, taking a RB question on Bulgaria’s Schengen accession.

Bulgaria and Italy are a part of South Europe and share many common interests, though the scales are different. What are our key priorities? This is the answer of Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin for RB:

“One of those is related to migration and shelter and we are really interested in more serious decisions and a common EU policy there. The second topic is growth, competitiveness, new jobs – we see it as a key one too. At the same time we have something to say on each and every issue, framed by H.E. Conticelli. It all depends on how we will work over the next 6 month as well – this Italian presidency will work with three Bulgarian governments. That is why we need to keep the Bulgarian teams, working with EU institutions, we need really clear consistency and continuity within their actions. I can add the energy sphere as issue here – obviously it is of key importance for us, and so is the South Stream project. I rely on Italy’s support for the finding of the necessary compromises and solutions, so that the project can be continued, but under the European rules, of course. This government has made the respective proposals to the EC. We are expecting an answer and I feel more like optimistic on the issue. The role of Italy will be important here, as it also has a strong interest in the implementation of this project.”

English version: Zhivko Stanchev