Following the State of the Union Address—What Are the Reactions of Bulgarian MEPs?

How did Bulgarian MEPs react to the references to Bulgaria and the European Commission’s priorities in Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address?

Eva Maydell, European People’s Party – GERB: “I believe it is important for us to be involved in every European project. Over the years, Bulgaria has demonstrated that it can take a leading role on many of these issues. We have a geostrategic position that is extremely important. If we build on the successes of recent years, we should remember that this is not the first time Bulgaria has been mentioned in a speech by the President of the European Commission. Jean-Claude Juncker did so several times, precisely because our country has contributed to taking specific decisions. Let us see how this commitment will translate into action and what will happen, but overall, we have a geostrategic position that we should make use of, and we have proven in the past that we can do so.”

Radan Kanev, European People’s Party – Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria: “A very big challenge, a very big opportunity for Bulgaria. This is a logical continuation of a policy that Bulgaria has been pursuing for a long time: opening up the common European economy to the Caucasus region and Central Asia, a region with enormous economic potential. However, this means bypassing Russia and Turkey—two countries to which the current government has shown a very close affinity. That is why I call it a challenge, and I hope our government will be able to take it on.”

Nikola Minchev, Renew Europe – “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria”: "For Bulgaria specifically, the fact that she announced a summit on regional cooperation and the trade relations that should develop with Asian countries, as well as the diversification of supplies to Europe - the summit, which is to be hosted by Bulgaria, is an important moment for our country.”

Stanislav Stoyanov, Europe of Sovereign Nations – “Vazrazhdane”: “I am pleased with what happened because I have long been calling for better connectivity for Bulgaria and Southeast Europe as a whole, both within the EU and with our neighbouring regions. This is a very good step in the right direction, and I am pleased that, ultimately, Ursula von der Leyen heard what we have been advocating and working for.”

Elena Yoncheva, European Conservatives and Reformists – Movement for Rights and Freedoms: “There are two issues that are particularly important for Bulgaria. First, Ms von der Leyen called for the creation of a new European security system. She said there is a serious threat to the EU and stressed the need for a new security protocol, namely the establishment of a new Article 4 of the EU, which would mean that in the event of a potential threat, any member state could call on the other member states to take action. In this context, it is very interesting why, at this particular moment, von der Leyen announced active work on the so-called Middle Corridor, or Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. Undoubtedly, this corridor will have major economic importance, as the idea is for raw materials from Central Asia to reach the EU in less than 15 days. But as the Commission has said many times, this corridor is also extremely important for the EU’s defence and military industry, because rare metals for the defence industry, mainly from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which produce large quantities of titanium and other rare metals, would be transported along it.”

Kristian Vigenin, Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats – Bulgarian Socialist Party: “It seems that she made an announcement that we will have to confirm. I have not heard it from the Bulgarian authorities, but apparently work will indeed begin next year on the so-called Middle Corridor – the connection between Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. From her speech, we also learned that a conference on regional connectivity is being prepared with the assistance of the Bulgarian Prime Minister. I think Bulgaria is particularly well positioned to take a leading role in implementing these initiatives. Through the Black Sea, we are, so to speak, the first country where this future corridor will arrive, and it should improve transport connectivity and the flow of goods between Asia and Europe.”

Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Renew Europe – Alliance for Rights and Freedoms: “I am satisfied that the topic was placed on the agenda. I have personally worked on this matter. Historically and geographically, Bulgaria has much to contribute to connectivity with Central Asia and the Caucasus, as well as to the broader connectivity involving the Black Sea and the Balkan countries. In general, Bulgaria should be a connecting link between East and West, between Europe and Asia, and it seems to me that this initiative is now on the agenda and will produce results.”