site.btaMinister Shalapatova Receives Award for Overall Contribution to Social Policy of Europe

Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivanka Shalapatova received an award for overall contribution to Europe's social policy at the European Conference Social Economy: People, Planet, Action, which took place on November 13 and 14 in San Sebastian, Spain. Shalapatova was honoured for her contribution to he reform for the deinstitutionalization of childcare in Bulgaria, her Ministry said on Wednesday.

Minister Shalapatova said when accepting the award that this is a recognition to all dedicated people who are working to change Bulgaria so that this country can be a Member State without poverty and children in institutions where young people can strive to develop their potential.

The conference in San Sebastian brought together social policy leaders from 19 EU Member States. Within the framework of the forum, Shalapatova met with European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit, f European Economic and Social Committee President  Oliver Ropke, President of Social Economy Europe President Juan Antonio Pedreno, as well as with other leaders on the issues of social economy and social investments from the member countries and from European institutions. The Bulgarian Minister of Labour and Social Policy pointed out Bulgaria's efforts to find a possible solution to the stalled negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament on Regulation 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems, which is of great importance for guaranteeing the rights of Bulgarian workers in the EU.