site.btaMP Rositsa Kirova Meets with New European Economic and Social Committee President Boland

A strong civil society needs a stable state and inclusive institutions, MP Rositsa Kirova, chair of the Committee on Citizens' Direct Participation, Complaints and Interaction with Civil Society, said at a meeting with the President-elect of the European Economic and Social Committee, Seamus Boland on Friday, her press office reported.

Kirova underlined that a good environment for dialogue between institutions and citizens requires trust. She added that the committee's Public Council can be a tool for partnership and coordination. "I am convinced that this is the way for a consistent state policy for citizens' participation in decision-making," she added.

"Civil society organizations need to be where policies are made. The Economic and Social Committee at European level, and the Committee on Civil Society at a national level, are two institutions that make the voice of the NGO sector heard," said Seamus Boland.

Rositsa Kirova and Seamus Boland expressed their common opinion that the meeting is the beginning of a long-term cooperation between the two committees.

The President of the European Economic and Social Committee is visiting Bulgaria at the invitation of the Global Disability Movement Association. Kirova and the members of the Bulgarian parliamentary committee on civil society were invited to visit Brussels and exchange useful practices in the field of civil society organizations and interaction with civil society.