BTA brings to Skopje Bulgaria's knowledge of the European Union and the opportunities the EU provides for Bulgarian citizens in the Republic of North Macedonia, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said at the opening of a local conference within BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project. The conference took place at the BTA National Press Club here on Thursday.
He pointed out that thanks to the opening of the National Press Club in Skopje in 2022, the Republic of North Macedonia has been part of the European conversations that BTA organizes with the support of the European Commission for the last three years. He said that the aim of the conferences is to present the exchange of knowledge between people in Bulgaria and the Balkans and people from the rest of the EU. Valchev added that such conversations like the one in Skopje have already taken place in Bosilegrad in Serbia and are to be held in Belgrade in Serbia, Bucharest in Romania, Edirne in Turkiye, and Thessaloniki in Greece.
He noted that Bulgaria knows what it is like to be in the EU, and BTA is trying to help more people in the Republic of North Macedonia understand it. He also underscored that BTA aims to provide knowledge for Bulgarian citizens in North Macedonia about their opportunities as EU citizens, and stressed that a huge number of citizens of North Macedonia have acquired Bulgarian citizenship thanks to their Bulgarian origin and identity.
Valchev recalled that BTA is responsible for providing information about the life of Bulgarians living outside the borders of Bulgaria, as well as informing them about events in the country. He said that the opportunities in the field of education that the EU provides for European citizens are particularly valuable, and therefore the emphasis in the conversation in Skopje is the participation of the University of National and World Economy Rector, Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, and Bitola University Vice-Rector Jasmina Bulevska.
"We will also talk about the great business opportunities that European citizens have thanks to the EU," Valchev said, adding that EU citizens with Bulgarian passports in North Macedonia can take advantage of many opportunities under various EU funds and should be informed about this. He pointed out that after Bulgaria's full accession into Schengen, the opportunities for Bulgarian citizens in the EU become even greater.
Valchev stressed that the most valuable thing for European citizens is the protection they have from the EU of their rights, which are based on European values and standards. More knowledge about these values and standards can help North Macedonia become part of the EU sooner and all its citizens to use the opportunities of EU membership, just as Bulgarian citizens have been able to do for 18 years, he concluded.
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. Special attention is paid to education and skills as a driver of regional development. 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.
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