site.btaInternational Conference Discusses Future of EU

International Conference Discusses Future of EU

Sofia, April 25 (BTA) - The European Union is an example for the humanity. It is an honour to live within its borders, caretaker Prime Minister Ognyan Gerdjikov said Tuesday at an international conference: "Where Does Europe Go: Globalism vs Populism" in Sofia, organized by PanEurope - Bulgaria, the State Cultural Institute with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Bulgaria and the Representation of the European Commission to Bulgaria.

The forum marks the 10th anniversary of Bulgaria's accession to the EU and the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Pan-European movement in this country.

"The first big European moral is the peace and its protection, the opportunity to have dreams, raise our children in the spirit of optimism and build our patriotism on respect for the others and for the common," said Gerdjikov.

Vice President Iliana Yotova stressed that Europe is not something given by default. "We should fight for it and never forget that Europe is not just a union but a human pledge for peace, prosperity and freedom," said Yotova.

Peter Stoyanov, Bulgarian President (1997-2001), noted that Bulgaria's affiliation to Europe is a part of the ideas already of the Bulgarian National Revival and not just a political whim of a group of people having decided to find a place of Bulgaria after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. In his opinion the debate on the future of Europe should continue with Bulgaria's active participation.

Pan Europe - Bulgaria President Gergana Passy recalled the role of Prof. Ivan Shishmanov, founder of the Pan-European Movement, adding that every Bulgarian can be proud of him.