site.btaVice President Iotova Comments Mobility Package, Bulgarian Development

107 POLITICS - VICE PRESIDENT - MOBILITY PACKAGE - COMMENTARY

Vice President Iotova
Comments Mobility Package,
Bulgarian Development

March 26 (BTA) - There is a chance to ask for the Mobility Package to be dropped from the agenda of the MEP debate on Wednesday, Vice President Iliana Iotova told journalists before a "Bulgaria 2019 - New horizons: doubts, hopes, perspectives" discussion here Tuesday.

Iotova explained that over 1,500 corrections have been submitted to the package that could not reach all MEPs, so they could not know them in details.

Regarding the Monday vote in Strasbourg, Iotova noted that there was a reason to demand the Mobility Package's withdrawal, but that the first chance was wasted. She said that not all MEPs attend the Monday meetings, where the European Parliament weekly agenda is voted, because of various obstacles, but that the
practice was to ensure votes come in through talking to MEPs from other parliamentary groups.

According to Iotova, there should have been more efforts on establishing Bulgaria's strategy and tactics on the Mobility Package, as it was clear there would be a great amount of pressure. "We should have looked for more allies and brought round more MEPs in order to protect Bulgarian interests," she noted.

On a question whether there is a political crisis in Bulgaria, the Vice President said the crisis began ever since the Socialists left Parliament and caused the devising of the quorum to hang on the edge every time.

Within the forum, Iotova said there is a lack of discussion on ways to develop Bulgaria in the next 20 or 50 years. According to her, half of Bulgaria's young people may pursue their career abroad, as data shows that 45 per cent of them fear the lack of perspective here.

"We are among the fastest shrinking nations, with nearly 5 per cent of villages desolate, and 13 per cent of villages with a population of up to 20 people," Iotova noted, adding that if thetrend continues, in 10 years half of Bulgaria will be a demographic desert. By 2030, 42 per cent of the population will live in six of the bigger cities, she said. According to her, Bulgaria missed an opportunity during the last EU funding period  for putting aside certain EU funds and programmes for developing backward regions.

According to Iotova, Bulgaria should prioritize high tech, tourism, agriculture, and small and medium business.

The forum, where young experts presented their visions for  developing the country, was organized by the Social Integration  Institute and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. LI/TH




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