site.btaPolitical Crisis in Bulgaria Has Shifted Focus Inward, Leading to Neglect of Issues concerning Bulgarians Abroad - Parliament Chair Kiselova

Bulgaria’s Parliament Chair Nataliya Kiselova Monday said that the political crisis that this country has faced in recent years has shifted attention to domestic political issues, leading to the neglect of issues concerning Bulgarians living abroad. Kiselova spoke during a brief news conference at the Bulgarian News Agency’s National Press Club in Bosilegrad.

The event was attended by Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Serbia, Petko Doykov, Consul General in Nis Dimitar Tsanev, the chairperson of the Bosilegrad Cultural Information Centre Ivan Nikolov, guests from Bulgaria, and local residents.

Kiselova visited the Serbian town to attend the 32nd International Children’s Easter Festival, organized by Aleksander Dimitrov, the Bulgarian News Agency’s correspondent in Bosilegrad.

"A strategy on Bulgarian communities abroad was adopted in 2014. Since then, there has been only one major analysis of the [Bulgarians Resident Outside the Republic of Bulgaria] Act of 2000," Kiselova noted. “There has been no real implementation of the Act, nor any development of the strategy. The political climate must allow us to re-engage with those with Bulgarian identity and citizenship so that the Bulgarian spirit and memory can be preserved, and ties between the Bulgarian State and our communities abroad can be strengthened,” the Parliament Chair added.

"We expect the Committee on Policies for Bulgarians Abroad to be proactive. It assisted Alelsander Dimitrov in organizing the festival. The National Assembly will continue supporting Bulgarians abroad, including those in Bosilegrad, for as long as possible," she added.

Kiselova said that the challenges faced by the Western Outlands should not be acknowledged only on special occasions or holidays, but addressed consistently.

Earlier in the day, the Parliament Chair visited the village of Izvor, where she toured a church built in 1833 and the site of the first monastery school in the area, established around the same period. "This is part of our history," she said, adding that efforts will be made to explore ways to preserve memory and historical heritage.

Ambassador Doykov expressed his appreciation for being part of the Parliament Chair’s visit to Bosilegrad. Speaking about the festival, he said that it "provides an opportunity not only to preserve Bulgarian traditions but also to bring together Bulgarian children living outside Bulgaria". He added that Bulgaria’s diplomatic missions in Serbia will continue to support Bulgarians in the Western Outlands in all their efforts.

Participants in the news briefing noted that this marks the first visit by a Bulgarian Parliament Chair to Bosilegrad in decades.