Bulgaria's EU membership gives the Bulgarian youth many opportunities for quality education and career development
16 April 2014 News
The topic of the opportunities for young people is increasingly on the agenda not only in Bulgaria, but also in the whole EU. What is your future within the EU and what is the future of the EU as a whole depends on both the previous generationsand on yourselves, said Minister Kristian Vigenin who participated today in a meeting with students in Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski". The topic of discussion was "Bulgaria in the EU - mobility and opportunities for young people."
The event was organized by the Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the campaign "I vote because I am interested," whose purpose is to stimulate the participation of young people in the European Parliament elections in May 2014.Among the participants in the event were the Director of the Institute, Tanya Mihaylova, the Director of "EU Policy and Institutions" Direcrorate, Rumen Alexandrov, and the Rectorof Plovdiv University, Prof. Zapryan Kozludzhov.
Minister Vigenin presented to the students the numerous advantages of Bulgaria's membership in the European Union and the opportunities it provides for young people, such as education, career, travel and cultural exchange. All these features are, however, a question of choice. And the choice implies awareness and responsibility - responsibility for your future, Minister Vigenin pointed out. You are responsible for what and where you choose to study, what to work and where to live. And everything listed here is related to your choice of who will represent and protect your interests and values in Europe, including in the European Parliament as the only directly elected EU institution, the Foreign Minister added.
According to Kristian Vigenin, the upcoming EP elections are important because theelected national representatives have to ensure the connection between the EU agenda and the needs and hopes of the citizens. The higher the turnout, the more legitimate and closer to the citizens the European construction will be, he added.
The Minister pointed out that the fight against unemployment, especially youth, is among the top priorities of the EU. In the period 2014-20206 billion euros are providedfor its reduction. The Bulgarian Government also pays serious attention to this problem and it has already adopted a National Plan for Employment 2014.
At the same time, we make continuous efforts to carry reforms in the field of education. For our country in 2014 more than 19 million euros will be directed to activities that enhance the quality of the Bulgarian education and the training of the Bulgarian educational community . Of these the most - more than 9.5 million euros, have been earmarked for the higher education sector, said Minister Vigenin.
By 2020, Bulgaria will receive over 15 billion euros by the European Union through which the country will fund its strategic priorities. Some of them are provided for research, innovation and investment in smart growth. For their development about 600 millioneuros are provided.
During the discussions, the EuropeanJobs Network EURES- portal that offers nearly 2 million vacancies in EU countries, was also presented. Minister Vigenin informed the audience of the opportunities of the Erasmus + program, as well as the prospects for internships and jobs in the EU administration.
For Bulgaria it is important that more Bulgarian representatives hold positions in the European administration. In such way our country will be able to defend its national interest in the decision-making process, said Minister Vigenin.
A Memorandum of Cooperation between the Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski” was signed during the meeting. The agreement allows for the exchange of teachers, literature, and also provides an opportunity for student participation in theinternship programs of the Diplomatic Institute. The aim is Bulgarian students to be more involved in the international relations and diplomacy.
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