It is crucial for Europe to remain democratic, open and free, Maciej Berestecki, European Commission (EC) spokesperson for research, innovation, reforms, cohesion and fisheries, told BTA, commenting on the European Citizens’ Panel on democratic resilience, being held in Brussels.
Berestecki said Europe should remain free in terms of its people, media and political movements, while noting that it faces numerous threats and risks both from outside and within Europe. He said the panel and the initiatives accompanying it should help identify solutions to ensure that European citizens remain free in their choices, have access to free media and are protected from disinformation, hybrid information warfare from outside and populist movements.
He noted that the democratic resilience panel aims to present the views of citizens from across Europe on how Europe can become stronger and better and better respond to citizens’ expectations regarding their democratic views and rights.
Berestecki stressed that freedom of expression is one of the fundamental rights of every democracy, including in Europe. At the same time, he said, the risks associated with freedom of expression must also be taken into account.
According to him, rapid technological developments, artificial intelligence and the growing amount of disinformation people receive through social media and other sources mean that freedom of expression can no longer simply be taken for granted. He said it needs to be protected when it helps inform people about facts rather than mislead them.
Berestecki noted that people face disinformation and technologies designed to mislead them. He said one of the issues being discussed is how to combat disinformation and ensure that people, including those who may have less education or may not fully understand all the news they receive, can distinguish truth from falsehood.
He told BTA that he had followed several of the discussions among the participants in the citizens’ panel and that some topics had particularly caught his attention. One of them was European identity and citizens’ desire to feel more strongly connected to Europe regardless of their national identity.
Berestecki said some participants had expressed a desire for a stronger European identity, stronger European symbols and a greater sense of belonging to Europe, which they see as representing values and freedoms of which they are proud.
He described the discussion as interesting, although not directly related to democratic resilience, and said he was pleased to see citizens valuing what Europe represents.
According to Berestecki, the discussions had also been enriching for him personally, as they had given him an opportunity to understand the views of people from different parts of the continent.
He noted that the balance between national and European identity inevitably also arises in such discussions. In his view, however, the two should not be seen as conflicting, as people can feel both identities at the same time.
The EC spokesperson said he himself feels strongly connected both to Europe and to the place where he comes from. He is from a small town in southeastern Poland near the Ukrainian border and, although he has not lived there for 18 years, remains attached to its local culture and community. At the same time, he said, he feels strongly European and considers it important to preserve European unity and solidarity.
According to Berestecki, people will always ask themselves whether they feel more Spanish or European, Bulgarian or European, but this should not be treated as a dilemma. He said people can feel both identities and be proud of both.
Among the other topics he heard discussed was the role of the media. Berestecki said that against the backdrop of the huge amount of information coming from social media and new information sources, attention should also be paid to local media.
He noted that in many regions, including the one where he comes from, local newspapers and radio stations have existed for many years and are trusted by local communities. However, he said, these media outlets have to fight for their survival as they compete with numerous other sources, including those spreading false information.
According to Berestecki, support should be directed towards local media that people have followed for years and that provide reliable and authentic information and news. He also stressed their role as part of local communities, helping ensure that people can continue to trust local journalists.
In his view, the European Union should ensure that local media receive support because of their real value to local communities. He said he had heard a similar view from participants in the citizens’ panel.
Berestecki recalled that the current session, which began on September 18, is the first of three during which citizens will discuss democratic resilience in Europe. Today [Sunday] is its third day. A total of 150 citizens from all 27 European Union (EU) Member States are discussing different aspects and perspectives related to democratic resilience. Four Bulgarians are among the participants: Gabriela Karadzhonova-Malcheva, born in Lyubimets and living and working in Plovdiv; Stefan Rusev from Ivaylovgrad; Mihaela Koleva from Yambol; and Aleksandar Stoev from Stara Zagora.
Berestecki told BTA that this is the ninth topic to have been discussed with citizens since 2021.
He said that after the two remaining meetings, the participants would reach conclusions or identify issues that should be followed up by the European Commission. These conclusions will be compiled and taken into account in the Commission’s policymaking process.
According to Berestecki, the conclusions of the citizens’ panel could inspire the European Commission with new ideas for better protecting democracy and combating disinformation.
He stressed that the views of people who participate in the life of their local communities and have first-hand knowledge of problems on the ground are particularly valuable to the European Commission.
Berestecki said that while the Commission is based in Brussels and regularly talks to numerous stakeholders and governments, it also wants to hear directly from citizens.
According to him, these ideas and conclusions will be useful for future policymaking and projects related to the protection of democracy.
EC Spokesperson: Europe Must Remain Democratic, Open and Free 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-09-20 12:30:31
World news, international news, global news, latest world news, breaking world news, world politics, international politics. Global economy, international business, world markets, global events, international relations, geopolitical news, global affairs. Europe news, European news, EU news, European politics, Balkan news, United States news, UK news, Asia news. Bulgarians abroad, Bulgarian diaspora, Bulgarians overseas, Bulgarian communities abroad, Bulgarian citizens abroad, Bulgarian expats, Bulgarian emigrants. Bulgarian diaspora news, news for Bulgarians abroad, Bulgaria abroad, Bulgarians in Europe, Bulgarians in Germany, Bulgarians in the UK. Bulgarians in Spain, Bulgarians in Italy, Bulgarians in France, Bulgarians in the USA, Bulgarians in Canada, Bulgarians in Greece. Bulgarian communities worldwide, Bulgarian schools abroad, Bulgarian culture abroad, Bulgarian businesses abroad, Bulgarian students abroad, Bulgarian workers abroad. Consular services Bulgaria, Bulgarian embassies, Bulgarian citizens overseas, Bulgarian elections abroad, Bulgarian voting abroad, Bulgarian nationals abroad, Bulgaria international relations.
BULGARIA NEWS – NEWS AGENCY 2009–2026 2026-09-20 12:30:31
