A national business forum subjected Challenges and Opportunities for Business during Bulgarian EU Presidency was held in Sofia, hosted by the „Association to support small and medium businesses – UNITED BUSINESS CLUBS“ and supported by the Invest Bulgaria Agency and the Executive Agency for Encouraging Small and Medium-sized Companies. Representatives of the Bulgarian business presented the problems that they face in the course of their work with institutions and also upon applying for funding under different European projects. They say that access to European and third markets is essential for business. Urgent measures are also needed for recruitment of skilled manpower that can quickly adapt to different working conditions and environments, contributing to economic growth.

“The forthcoming presidency will give a chance to Bulgarian companies to find new partners, to expand their production lines and modernize them. This will open new jobs. That is why the government works to ease the access of start-ups to the common European market and for the decreasing of the administrative burden,” Minister of Economy Emil Karanikolov underlined in his speech before the forum’s participants. President Rumen Radev had also sent his greeting message to the discussion’s participants.

Deputy Minister of Bulgarian EU Presidency Monika Panayotova also attended the conference and presented this country’s priorities during the first six months of 2018. Bulgaria will be a mediator for rapprochement of the stances between the member-states and also within their communication with the institutions and at the decision-making process on the European level. This country will help for the establishment of a legislative and political framework too, defending the security and welfare of the European citizens. Furthermore:

“The Bulgarian Presidency will be focused on 4 major priorities. First comes the debate on Europe and its youth’s future with an accent on the economic growth and social rapprochement, followed by the debate for the European perspective and connectivity of the Western Balkans. Security and stability within a strong and unified Europe take the 3^rd place. The 4^th position belongs to digital economy and the skills of the future. The vision for the 2018 Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU will be for a more competitive, energy effective and independent innovative union, relying on the highest standards in the sphere of employment and policies of growth. Last, but not least – a union which will continue to be a source of inspiration on the global stage for our neighbors from the Western Balkans as well.”

Panayotova also added that Bulgaria would have its key role in the finalization of the work on the priority for the common digital market. This is one of the tasks of the current Estonian Presidency that we will have to complete. The ambition is for a working digital market by the end of 2018.

The goals of the Bulgarian Presidency have already been outlined and announced many times. Now this country faces the more difficult task to achieve them. It was not a coincidence that the United We Stay Strong slogan from the façade of the National Assembly was selected to be the motto of the Bulgarian Presidency. These words reflect the history of statehood here. It is not simply an appeal, but an obligation before all those who have fought for Bulgaria in its current image. That is why it is important to do our best for a successful term on the European political stage, despite all the difficulties forthcoming.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev