site.btaEU Cohesion Policy to Be Discussed in Stara Zagora within BTA's Europe on Balkans Project

The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) has organized a local conference in Stara Zagora as part of BTA's project "Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills", supported by the European Commission. The event will take place at BTA's National Press Club in this town on Wednesday.

The forum is expected to be attended by BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, MEP Andrey Novakov (EPP/GERB), the town's Mayor, Zhivko Todorov, Regional Governor Metodi Markov, Regional Information Centre Manager Radka Tileva and representatives of regional education institutions.

The latest developments in the EU's cohesion policy for 2021-2027 and the results achieved during the 2014-2020 programming period will be discussed.

A special focus will be placed on skills as a driver for regional development and the contribution of Bulgaria and the Balkan countries to Europe's development.

Through the project "Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills," 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 two earlier projects, "Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future" and "Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future", implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively.