site.btaBTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills Conference Held in Veliko Tarnovo

Representatives of State, local and educational institutions participated in a conference at the National Press Club of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) in Veliko Tarnovo (Central Bulgaria) on Monday. The event was part of the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project.

The Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project aims to talk about the exchange of knowledge between the people of Bulgaria and the Balkans and the people of the rest of the European Union (EU), so that both sides mutually recognize their respective contribution, said BTA Director General Kiril Valchev at the opening of the local conference. "We usually hear that Bulgaria receives money from the EU, and the impression remains that we Bulgarians are the ones who only benefit from our participation in the Union, but the truth is that the EU also benefits from Bulgarians, just as it benefits from the other European nations", Valchev pointed out. He also noted that the conference in Veliko Tarnovo is held on the day when the Orthodox Church honours the memory of Saint Euthymius of Tarnovo, pointing out that this is another significant contribution of Bulgaria to European civilization and to Christianity, on which values the EU is built.

BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills Conference highlights education as one of the factors that helps the development of both Veliko Tarnovo and Bulgaria, said Veliko Tarnovo Mayor Daniel Panov. "Spirituality has existed since the Second Bulgarian Empire. Our town deserves this event to take place here", Panov stressed, adding that Tarnovo shows the entire Bulgarian people that its history and historical landmarks are preserved. "We popularize the town thanks to the heritage," he noted.

Through knowledge, both local government and journalism move forward, said Ventsislav Spirdonov, Veliko Tarnovo Municipal Council Chair and Chair of the Management Board of the National Association of Municipal Council Chairs in Bulgaria. He thanked BTA Director General Director Kiril Valchev for the good cooperation between the news agency and the association.

In Veliko Tarnovo, there is a pleasant synergy between history and the present, as well as a view to the future ahead, said Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria. "I am grateful to everyone that we can present Veliko Tarnovo with self-confidence, this is a great opportunity to show how Bulgarian towns blossom through European funds," Chobanova pointed out and noted that things work out when people work together. She said that the amount invested in Veliko Tarnovo Municipality for the previous programming period is over BGN 200 million and that over 2,000 European projects were implemented in Veliko Tarnovo Region. Chobanova said that in the current programming period there is a vision for the municipality to become more green and to work towards preserving historical heritage.

"The theme of today's conference is knowledge, and knowledge is power," said Brigadier General Ivan Malamov, Rector of the Vasil Levski National Military University. He noted that Veliko Tarnovo is the genetic code for Bulgaria's spirituality and that the educational institution takes advantage of all the opportunities provided by the EU. He noted that the National Military University works on over 10 European projects, including a project on a Competence Centre which will help with disaster and emergency management.

Investments in Veliko Tarnovo Region will top BGN 1 billion by the end of the 2021-2027 programming period, said Regional Information Centre Manager Nikolay Petrov. "There is much talk about the logic of the structural funds, about the meaning of the projects, how every single Bulgarian lev helps," Petrov noted, adding that 2,001 contracts worth a total of BGN 742 million had been signed by January 18 in Veliko Tarnovo.

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.