2018 Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

From January to June, second of a trio

Bulgaria held the presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2018.[1][2] The presidency was the second of three presidencies making up a presidency trio, which began with the presidency of Estonia, and was followed by that of Austria.[3] It was the first time Bulgaria had held the presidency.[4] The motto that was chosen for the presidency was "United we stand strong".[1][4]

Overview

The Bulgarian presidency had four major points on its agenda: (1) closing socioeconomic gaps, (2) planning for integration with states of the Western Balkans, (3) providing security and stability, and (4) adapting the economy in response to digital advances.[5] The presidency also had to face issues pertaining to the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union (Brexit), the continuing influx of refugees and migrants, and the planning for a new multiyear budget for the union.[6][7]

Vladislava Gubalova, a research fellow at the GLOBSEC Policy Institute, described the presidency as "more about style than substance".[8] Gubalova stated that although the presidency did not make any major missteps, the progress that it made would likely not be seen as historic.[8] Overall, Gubalova considered the presidency satisfactory, and reported that it showed that Bulgaria was able to competently handle the competing interests of the European Union.[8]

Gallery

  • Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borisov at the opening ceremony of the Bulgarian presidency, at Sofia's National Palace of Culture, 11 January 2018[9]
    Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borisov at the opening ceremony of the Bulgarian presidency, at Sofia's National Palace of Culture, 11 January 2018[9]

References

  1. ^ a b List of presidencies of the Council of the European Union consilium.europa.eu
  2. ^ Who’s who in the Bulgarian EU presidency Politico
  3. ^ Estonia, Bulgaria and Austria ‘presidency trio’ outlines priorities EURACTIV
  4. ^ a b Priorities of the Bulgarian EU Council Presidency euromil.org
  5. ^ Bulgaria assumes Presidency of the Council of the EU bundesregierung.de via Archive Today
  6. ^ Turbulent times in Europe for Bulgaria Deutsche Welle
  7. ^ Bulgaria FM: ‘Not only Bulgaria doesn't want refugees’ Deutsche Welle
  8. ^ a b c The Bulgarian Presidency: more about style than substance EURACTIV
  9. ^ Today at Commission: Sofia trip and electric pulse fishing Politico

External links

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