site.btaBulgarian Analyst Says Brexit Will Downgrade European Project's Ambitions

Bulgarian Analyst Says Brexit Will Downgrade European Project's Ambitions

Sofia, March 14 (BTA) - Bulgarian political analyst Daniel Smilov believes that this is a time to stand for what has been accomplished thanks to European integration - not to try out the advantages of disintegration. Smilov was speaking at a discussion on the upcoming UK referendum and the implications for Bulgaria and the EU, held in Sofia Monday. "The exit of a country like the UK downgrades the ambitions of the European project," said Smilov.

He further argued that a possible Brexit will show that those who are the most competitive and most successful no longer find the EU project attractive.

This will cause a crisis that will pair up with two others: with the migrants and in the euro zone. Also, there is a risk of "contamination" where other countries may pick up the referendum idea, Smilov said.

British Ambassador to Bulgaria Emma Hopkins argued that the question is not whether the UK can succeed without the EU or the EU without the UK. The question is rather "how we all can be more successful, create more jobs and be more secure," she added.

She said the UK government believes that their country will be stronger, safer and better-off in the EU, "a powerful voice within Europe instead of a lonely voice outside," to use her words.

Ambassador Hopkins noted though that it is a decision for the electorate in the UK to make and said that it will the most passionate and important vote she will see in her lifetime as a British citizen.

Among the participants in the discussion were also European Parliament members Frank Engel and Svetoslav Malinov. Malinov was co-organizer of the discussion in partnership with the European Parliament information office in Bulgaria.