site.btaLiliyana Pavlova: Bulgarian EU Presidency Has Lasting Positive Effect on Bulgaria, Balkans and Europe

107 POLITICS - SOCIAL DIALOGUE - CONFERENCE

Liliyana Pavlova:
Bulgarian EU Presidency Has Lasting Positive Effect
on Bulgaria, Balkans and Europe


Sofia, August 31 (BTA) - The Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2018 has a lasting positive effect on Bulgaria, the Balkans and Europe, Minister Liliyana Pavlova told an international conference here on Friday. The conference, hosted by the Podkrepa Confederation of Labour, discussed social dialogue as an instrument for the European integration of the Western Balkans.

Pavlova said that on one of its priorities - social affairs and employment, the Bulgarian EU Presidency exceeded expectations because there were matters on which a common solution had been impossible for years. "But we did it," she added.

Pavlova cited as examples the Posted Workers Directive, the European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships and the dossier on the coordination of social security systems. She believes that good coordination of welfare systems will help protect the rights of employees and employers alike.

"It is our ambition and desire to disseminate our experience and inter-institutional dialogue into the Western Balkans," the minister said. "Eleven years after our accession to the EU, we want to share the lessons we have learned."

What is known as the Sofia Agenda includes a number of connectivity projects and sharing of experience and good practice, she noted.

Podkrepa CL President Dimiter Manolov said Bulgaria has made progress and amassed much experience in the process of European integration. Manolov said: "After 10 years of EU membership, we can speak about the mistakes we have made as well, and we can help others avoid making the same mistakes."

The conference discussed industrial relations, the challenges to social dialogue, and ways to deepen regional trade union cooperation in order to boost the European integration of the Western Balkans. The event was held under the auspices of the European Centre for Workers' Questions (EZA). /RY/VE

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