site.btaParliament Establishes Council for Coordination of Policies for Bulgarians Abroad

Voting in principle on Wednesday, Parliament established a council for the coordination of policies for Bulgarians living abroad.

MPs adopted amendments to the Bulgarians Resident Outside the Republic of Bulgaria Act. The bill, submitted by the Council of Ministers, was supported by 116 MPs, 44 voted against and 10 abstained.

The council will help to resolve coordination issues related to the preservation and dissemination of the Bulgarian language and culture among Bulgarian communities abroad, including the preservation of Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage. The council will issue guidelines and recommend actions for the reintegration of Bulgarians returning to Bulgaria, protect the rights and interests of Bulgarians abroad, synchronize the activities of programs and projects aimed at Bulgarian communities and their organizations outside the country and coordinate the work of the central authorities in the implementation of policies related to Bulgarians abroad, the report further states.

The proposed policy coordination council for Bulgarians living abroad will be a standing new state advisory body of the Council of Ministers, which will function alongside the already established National Council for Bulgarians Living Outside the Republic of Bulgaria.