site.btaBTA's Europe in the Balkans: Together through Knowledge Project Starts With Conference in Veliki Preslav

An opening conference of the Europe in the Balkans: Together through Knowledge project, implemented by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) with the support of the European Commission, took place on National Awakeners' Day in the northeastern town of Veliki Preslav.

BTA Director General Kiril Valchev opened the conference by saying that knowledge is the basis of cohesion, which is why the project will present the shared knowledge and skills through which the peoples of Europe become closer. He commented that cohesion is a mutual process, which "cannot be bought with money, as it sometimes seems when some talk about 'absorbing' European cohesion funds. Therefore, in this project emphasis will be placed not only on the EU funds received by Bulgaria and the other Balkan countries, but also on the Bulgarian and, in general, the Balkan contribution to Europe," he said. He pointed out that it is much easier to organize such conferences in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna or Burgas, but Europe has no interest in making Bulgarians move to a few big cities and leave cities like Veliki Preslav, which was a capital of the First Bulgarian Empire.

Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission's Representation in Bulgaria, said that since Bulgaria's accession to the European Union, the country has received BGN 16.7 billion from cohesion funds. Between 2021 and 2027, that is, for the current program period, more than BGN 35 billion are available, Chobanova informed. She emphasized that thanks to these investments in the public sector, Bulgaria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown from 35% to 60% of the EU average, but there is still much to be desired and done.

The freedom to know nourishes the strength of the spirit, and the spirit of a person can build worlds, can build a united Europe, said Veliki Preslav Mayor Yanko Yordanov. He noted that Veliki Preslav is a town that has left a lasting and bright mark in Bulgarian history with its achievements in the fields of culture, writing, architecture and construction. In his words, the Golden Age is a period that outlined the cultural development of Bulgaria for centuries, a period of consolidation of Bulgarian civilization, the age of Simeon, which surpassed the boundaries of the Bulgarian state and the development of Europe even then.

Deputy Head of the Romanian Embassy in Bulgaria Catalin Radoi stated that the cooperation between Romania and Bulgaria in the pre-accession period not only accelerated their joint path to EU membership, but it has also fostered stronger bonds. "We worked together, not competing against each other, and this should be a good example for the countries of the Western Balkans", he pointed out, adding that the cohesion policy of the Balkans has a transformative effect on the region, with benefits such as improved infrastructure, better governance and closer integration with the EU for the respective countries.

Galina Ivanova from the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works said that investments in educational and sports infrastructure, culture and tourism are among the measures financed under the Operational Programme Regions in Growth 2021- 2027. The OP Regions in Growth 2021-2027 has a total financial resource of BGN 3.6 million, and the measures planned for implementation will build on those under the 2014 -2020 programming period , she pointed out.

Tsvetan Spassov, head of the Labour Ministry's General Directorate European Funds, International Programmes and Projects, stated that the ability to learn will be the most in demand in the digital and green transition. "The ability to learn is the main thing that we must observe and strive for in order to be able to stay in employment and find employment", he added, specifying that over BGN 1 billion is to be invested in skills development. More than BGN 735 million have been earmarked for the inclusion and retention of young people in the labor market, Spasov pointed out and explained that the funds are for inclusion in paid internships, subsidized employment, skill acquisition, qualification and retraining.

The University of Economics in Varna is working on over 20 projects that are financed with European funds, said University Rector Evgeni Stanimirov. According to him, it is more important to work with people, to build teams and to share knowledge and skills, which is the fastest track for the transfer of know-how than the material part, and that without systematic and analytical thinking STEM centre will not be effective.

The Europe in the Balkans: Together through Knowledge project is a continuation of the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The main objective of the project will be to provide objective and comprehensive information and an accurate overall picture of the European Union's cohesion policy in all Bulgarian regions. Special emphasis will be placed on skills and knowledge as an engine for regional development.

As part of the project, in the period from November 2024 to September 2025, BTA will organize discussions in its regional press clubs in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardjali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik , Pernik, Petrich, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen and Yambol. BTA will also hold cross-border conferences in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje and Thessaloniki.