Balgarianovinite.com The conference “From Constanta to Varna: Promoting and paving the way for the practical implementation of EESC Opinion and the Bulgarian ESC Resolution on the EU’s Strategic Approach to the Black Sea region” was held at the University of Economics in Varna on Tuesday.
The event was organized jointly by the European Economic and Social Committee and the Economic and Social Council of Bulgaria. The conference, the second of its kind, following a forum in Constanta, aims to connect the two key European Black Sea ports in a dialogue on the future of the region. It brought together representatives of European and national institutions, civil organizations, trade unions and employers’ associations to discuss how the recommendations of the two advisory bodies can be implemented and integrated into Bulgaria’s national positions in shaping future EU legislation.
Speaking at the forum, Meglena Plugtschieva, Foreign Policy Secretary of President Iliana Iotova, said Bulgaria supports the three pillars of the EU strategy for the Black Sea region and is calling for the establishment of a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub to protect critical maritime infrastructure and strengthen environmental security. Bulgaria has worked jointly with Romania on the development of the EU strategy for the region, she said, expressing regret that the document still lacks targeted financial resources and clear deadlines. Ensuring security in the Black Sea region requires partnership among Bulgaria, Romania and Turkiye, she added.
Speaking at the conference, Julian Popov, a European expert on climate and energy policy, senior fellow at the European Climate Organization and former caretaker Minister of Environment and Water, said that Bulgaria and Romania, together with the other Black Sea countries, have the opportunity to initiate a serious conversation on security, economy, climate and environment in the region and to become more active in communicating with European institutions and the neighbours, without waiting for Brussels to take the initiative. According to Popov, the European Strategy for the Black Sea Region represents a form of awakening – of the European Union, the European Commission and the Black Sea member states to the importance of this border of the union. Popov pointed out that although the document is well structured, it is currently devoid of financial resources and legally binding commitments, which has already earned it criticism. However, this is precisely what, according to him, is also an opportunity for the countries of the region to organize themselves and act proactively.
Speaking at the conference, Milena Angelova, European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) rapporteur on the EU strategic approach to the Black Sea and Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) Secretary General, said that the Black Sea region is not getting the political and economic attention it deserves. Countries in the region, including Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia and Ukraine, should work actively to develop stronger infrastructure and prepare more concrete projects, Angelova said. Programming for the EU’s 2028-2034 financial framework is now under way, Angelova said, adding that Black Sea countries must set out the region’s priorities. Intensive work is needed to turn the strategic approach into a strategy with clear deadlines and funding, she added.
Speaking at the forum, Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) President Plamen Dimitrov said that hydrogen sulfide in the Black Sea should be viewed not only as a threat, but also as a potential energy resource. Dimitrov emphasized that Bulgaria is well positioned to play a leading role in the region, including by hosting the planned maritime security hub at the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. However, without dedicated EU funding for the Black Sea region, the strategy could remain largely symbolic. He called for targeted financial support and greater EU recognition of the economic impact of the war in Ukraine, particularly rising energy and transport costs. Varna Conference on EU Strategic Vision for Black Sea 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-05-12 17:13:33 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law