site.btaBulgarian MEP Vitanov Proposes Revival of Idea for Balkan Union within EU Similar to Visegrad Group

Bulgarian MEP and head of the Delegation of Bulgarian Socialists to the European Parliament Petar Vitanov (BSP/S&D) proposed the revival of the idea for a Balkan union within the EU following the example of the Visegrad Group (V4). He made the proposal at a conference on having a strong voice in Europe, held in Romania's Mangalia, his press office said on Sunday.  

In the Balkan 3 (B3) union, Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria will be able to unite their efforts in sectors such as energy, transport, and green policies. The idea was first presented a decade ago, the press release reads.

The conference in Mangalia focused on the topics of Schengen, regional cooperation, and the situation in the Black Sea against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.

"The US adopted a war to protect its interests in the Black Sea, and the Black Sea countries seemingly do not think abou their own security. That is why it is extremely important to develop regional cooperation, because only with combined efforts can we defent the common interest of our citizens and our region," Vitanov argued. The Visegrad Group has shown that united by regional principle and common interests, countries are stronger and their voice is better heard in Europe, he added.

Vitanov also called for stronger political pressure for Romania's and Bulgaria's entry in Schengen.