Pernik Deputy Mayor: We Must Take Advantage of Chances EU Gives Us

Filip Pavlov, BTA correspondent Elitsa Ivanova

Pernik Deputy Mayor Stefan Krastev during the cross-border conference at the National Press Club of BTA in Bosilegrad, December 12, 2024 (BTA Photo/Krasimir Nikolov)

Bosilegrad, Serbia,

12.12.2024 14:47

(BTA)

Tags

The opportunities that the European Union offers Bulgaria are many and Bulgarians must not leave any of them unfulfilled, said Pernik Deputy Mayor Stefan Krastev during a cross-border conference held as part of the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project at the BTA National Press Club in Bosilegrad, Serbia, on Thursday.

Krastev's words referred mainly to the European Green Deal and pointed out that Pernik faces serious challenges in its implementation, which is why the Pernik Region is a target region of the EU Just Transition Mechanism.

"Pernik is a former industrial heart of Bulgaria, and our ancestors used the top technologies of their time. We can't count on that today", he stressed, adding that the green transition should be considered inevitable, and seen as an incredible opportunity, not a threat.

"It is up to us how we will manage it [the transition], whether it will happen without us taking into account our capabilities and needs, or whether it will give us the chance to implement important projects. We should be lifelong learners, because the times in which we stay [and live] in one place after graduating from school have passed. Today we have to learn and develop constantly," Krastev underscored.

Through this initiative, BTA aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. Between November 2024 and September 2025, BTA will host discussions at its press clubs in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Cross-border conferences will be held in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje, and Thessaloniki. The project builds on the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

/KK/

Additional

Related News

12.12.2024 15:32

Kyustendil Looks for Ways to Support Local People in Bosilegrad, Says Deputy Mayor

The opportunities that the European Union offers Bulgaria are many and Bulgarians must not miss those chances, said Pernik Deputy Mayor Stefan Krastev during the cross-border conference held as part of the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project

12.12.2024 13:52

Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad: Providing Information Is Important Step in Bringing Bulgarian Communities Abroad Closer Together

The Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad (EABA) is moving towards closer contacts with all Bulgarian communities abroad in a spiritual, economic and any other way, said its Executive Director Raina Mandzhukova during the cross-border conference

12.12.2024 13:51

EU Cohesion Funds Bring Societies Closer Together, Says Bulgarian Ambassador in Serbia

The cohesion funds of the European Union not only bring regions closer together economically through the financing of various infrastructure projects, but also bring peoples, societies and neighbours closer together, said the Bulgarian Ambassador in Serbia Petko Doykov during the cross-border conference held as part of the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project at the National Press Club of BTA in Bosilegrad on Thursday.

12.12.2024 13:49

Bulgarians Abroad Are Part of EU, Says BTA Director General

Bulgarians everywhere in the world are also part of the European Union, said BTA Director General Kiril Valchev at the opening of the cross-border conference held as part of the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project at the National Press Club of BTA in Bosilegrad on Thursday.