The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted the traditional Euroclub meeting in connection with the presentation of the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 July 2024. The programme included three discussion topics: results achieved during the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2024, priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU and initiatives of the Hungarian-Bulgarian Business Chamber.
Tsvetan Simeonov, President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that Belgium's successful presidency is not a surprise, given the experience of the country. He stressed the fact that Bulgaria has a lot to learn from Belgium in the area of governance and stability. Simeonov underlined that we share common roots and good relations with Hungary, supported by good cooperation between the chambers of commerce of the two countries.
Prof. Ingrid Shikova, President of the Euroclub at BCCI, gave an overview of the current issues in the European Union, focusing on the presented Strategic Agenda for the period 2024 - 2029, which defines the EU priorities and the main directions, including: increasing competitiveness, increasing investment in the sectors of defence, agriculture, social policy, etc. She highlighted as an important step for business the appointment of a Vice-President of the European Commission.
Vianne De Wouters Dopplinter, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium, praised the work done by Belgium in the first half of 2024. He said that the country had 3 main objectives: to finalise as many legislative dossiers as possible before the elections for the new European Parliament in May this year, to tackle the ongoing crises and to start preparing for the new mandate of the European institutions. He noted that 74 documents of the European Parliament have been completed, related to the key 6 priorities: protecting the rule of law, democracy and unity, strengthening EU competitiveness, green and fair transition, strengthening the social and health agenda, protecting people and borders, promoting a global Europe.
H.E. Mr Miklós Boros, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary, said that the country takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU at a particularly important transition moment for the EU. He presented the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency, focusing on the important directions for business and Bulgaria. Ambassador Boros said that Hungary supports the completion of the process for Bulgaria's full accession to Schengen and the euro area. He said that important priorities were: the future of cohesion policy and reducing inequalities in the EU, as well as tackling illegal migration. The Hungarian ambassador stressed the demographic challenges, expressing the view that the accelerated ageing of European society, unsustainable social welfare systems and labour shortages are long-standing and deepening problems in Europe that need to be tackled urgently and effectively. He also stressed the need to focus on a European perspective for the Western Balkans.
Dr. Rosen Tkachenko, President of the Hungarian-Bulgarian Economic Chamber, presented the activities and initiatives of the Joint Chamber in view of Hungary's Presidency of the Council of the EU. He also presented the idea of establishing a permanent committee of the bilateral chambers of commerce of the EU member states operating in Bulgaria.
Tsvetan Simeonov closed the event, expressing hope that the European institutions will work actively to reduce bureaucracy and facilitate the import of labour from third countries in their new mandate. The BCCI President said that the priority for the country remains joining the euro area and full Schengen. (Source: BCCI)
