site.btaBTA's Head: Kardzhali's Role in Europe Exemplifies Preserving Peace in Ethnically Diverse Society

The contribution of Kardzhali to Europe is an example of preserving peace in a diverse society of different ethnicities and faiths, said BTA Director General Kiril Valchev at the opening of a local conference within BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project. The conference is taking place at the BTA National Press Club here on Thursday.

"The bad experience of the revival process at the end of communism has become a good lesson," he stressed, adding that over the past 35 years to this day, Bulgaria has been an example in Europe, against the backdrop of ethnic and religious wars in the Balkans, and wars around the world today due to the restriction of minority rights by majorities. In his words, peace is also preserved with investments, and part of them are investments from EU.

Valchev pointed out that the conversation in Kardzhali is being held in the same month as Bulgaria's accession in Schengen. He noted that in Kardzhali Region Bulgaria shares a border with Greece, with part of the European funds directed specifically towards better connectivity between Bulgaria and Greece.

Valchev emphasized that on this day two years ago, with the opening of the National Press Club of BTA, Kardzhali became part of the pan-European conversations such as the one under BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project.

Through the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project, BTA aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. The project kicked off with a conference in Veliki Preslav in November 2024. Until 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.