site.btaUPDATED Bulgarian MEP Atidzhe Alieva-Veli: European Union Is Strong Together

Bulgarian MEP Atidzhe Alieva-Veli said here on Monday that the European Union is stronger together. "I believe that the European Union is strong together, and together we can tackle any challenge," she said at the forum "Young People and Europe: #UseYourVote" held in the National Assembly building under the auspices of the Committee on the European Union Affairs, the Schengen Area and the Еuro Area. The event is organized by the Liaison Office of the European Parliament in Bulgaria.

"From the pandemic and the fact that the EU has made sure that there are vaccines for everyone to the war and our solidarity with Ukraine, I believe these are sufficient examples of the strength of the EU," Alieva-Veli said. 

"Young people at the conference on the future of Europe called for a new Europe, a reformed Europe," Alieva-Veli noted. In her words, young people have indicated that they expect a Europe that meets their expectations, is committed to solving their problems, and offers the conditions that every young person wants: a good education, a high income, and access to housing.

As to the upcoming European elections in early June, the MEP stressed that every vote matters. "If you do not vote, you give the right to someone else to decide for you," Alieva-Veli said.

"Be active and participate in European political life," MEP Andrey Kovatchev of GERB/ European People's Party addressed the participants in the forum. "The European Union is not alien to Bulgaria. The European Parliament is an internal Bulgarian parliament to us. Do not let yourselves be swayed by certain insinuations that someone from outside wants to change something. No, we are the ones who want to live better and safer lives," Kovatchev said.

"It is by no means immaterial what kind of people we send to the European Union. The people who work there must be motivated," said MEP Petar Vitanov of the Socialists and Democrats Group. According to Vitanov, the EU was faced with problems in the last five years, but it "has shown something important, namely solidarity". "This solidarity became evident during the COVID pandemic when all countries received vaccines," he added. "When the economies were disrupted, there was still solidarity. Those who had more gave the ones who had less the opportunity to catch up," the MEP said.

"Voters determine who will allocate the state and the EU budget. There is no state money, the money is yours - the taxpayers. When you don't vote, someone else decides for you; someone else allocates [the resources]; you are just observers", Angel Dzhambazki of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group.

"Take decisions and demand accountability," he addressed the forum’s participants.

"The main reason for the indifference and apparent scepticism, especially among young people, is in fact the conduct of a large part of European leaders who put labels," Dzhambazki added.

At Monday’s forum, young people had the chance to hear MEPs' take on the European elections and ask them questions. The forum was opened by the Chair of the Committee on the European Union Affairs, the Schengen Area and the Еuro Area, Denitsa Simeonova and addressed by the head of the Liaison Office of the European Parliament in Bulgaria, Teodor Stoychev.