Minister Vigenin discussed with students in Varna Bulgaria's place in the EU economic policies
14 May 2014 News
The results of the upcoming European elections will be the first indicator of whether the European leaders have been able to offer effective solutions to the real problems and needs of the citizens, said Minister Kristian Vigenin at the discussion on the topic "Bulgaria in the European Union: economic policies and investments " in Varna. We are witnessing attempts to spread anti-European sentiments, to challenge the meaning of our membership or raise questions about the place of Bulgaria, said the Foreign Minister.
Minister Vigenin presented to the students the policy of the Bulgarian government to overcome the consequences of the economic crisis. "Social inequality is one of the biggest concerns of citizens not only in Bulgaria but in whole Europe. Economic growth is essential for addressing this problem and we seek to achieve such growth through the Growth and Jobs Pact aimed at tackling the European crisis," he said. The Foreign Minister emphasized that the measures in support of small and medium enterprises are particularly important, including facilitating the access of SMEs to finance and encouraging innovation.
Stimulating EU industrial policy will have a positive impact on the Bulgarian economy. Bulgaria, as a member of the European family, affirms the need to create a strong European industry as a key element of the EU economy, said Kristian Vigenin, adding that to achieve this it is necessary to implement a wide horizontal and coordinated approach, together with structural changes and reviving the economies of the member states in order to restore production capacity and through it to compensate for the job losses.
An impotant aspect is to choose an approach which is stimulating the market principles in the preparation of innovation policies, as well as inclusion of green and sustainable innovation, development of new products. To this end, a priority for Bulgaria in 2014 will be the establishment of closer links between education, research, training and business.
The meeting was held at the University of Economics, Varna, and it is the third one within the intitiative of the Diplomatic Institute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs “I vote because I'm interested !" whose purpose is to promote the participation of young people in the European elections. The discussion was attended by Tanya Mihaylova, Director of the Diplomatic Institute, Grigor Porozhanov, Director of Foreign Economic Relations Directorate at the MFA, and the rector of the University, Prof. Dr. Plamen Iliev.
In his address to the academic community on the occasion of the 94th anniversary of the establishment of the University of Economics, Varna , Minister Vigenin pointed out the necessity of a strong foreign economic policy as a foreign policy instrument. "I believe that the students of the University of Economics will increasingly find their place in the Bulgarian diplomatic service and the international cooperation structures," he said and wished all teachers, staff and students at the University of Economics to continues to be a leading academic and scientific institutions and an acclaimed authority. The rector of the University of Economics presented to the Foreign Minister a plaque on the occasion of the 94th anniversary of the establishment of the academic institution.
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