President Yotova: Europe's priorities should not be at the expense of cohesion policy
President Iliana Yotova opened the sixth edition of the "Green Transition Forum" organized by Dir.bg. The forum raises the question of the future of Europe - competitiveness, energy, innovation and green transition.
Iliana Yotova - President of the Republic of Bulgaria: "This year the message is particularly responsible - the next chapter of Europe - competitive, innovative and secure. These three words - competitiveness, innovation and security - outline the big question for the EU today. Europe must have new ambitions and even greater energy. The world has changed rapidly. Wars and conflicts have brought the issue of security back to the center of the European agenda. Global supply chains have been rearranged. In this environment, competitiveness is not a technocratic word. This is now a matter of security, income, labor, social stability and political dignity. Sofia is the right place for this conversation."
This forum is a cause for a developed Europe. Bulgaria knows what it means to be a border, to connect regions, the head of state emphasized.
"Europe cannot be competitive if some of its regions remain on the periphery. My message is clear. European competitiveness will be developed through genuine cohesion, a common market - without hidden barriers, access to capital, artificial intelligence and the participation of all member states in the new economic development. We need a review, a precise analysis of our policies so far. Cohesion policy must continue. We need to make an accurate account of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, which was supposed to be the big accelerator after the pandemic, but there were delays and weaknesses in who and how the funds are used. What is the result of the Green Deal?"
Today, the SAFE instrument places an emphasis on defense, Yotova noted.
"Europe must defend itself, but loans cannot build the European defense industry if there is no real market for joint production. Competitiveness begins with the ability to finish – to have completed projects."
The president commented on the EU's multiannual financial framework.
"The debate on it is far more than an accounting dispute. It is a dispute over the character of the EU - will it be a union of solidarity and convergence or will it be a union of different speeds. The EC's proposal for a new budget of almost 2 trillion euros sets the right words: flexibility, security, innovation. When agriculture, cohesion, social policies, reforms, investments are gathered in a common mechanism – transparency may decrease. I want to put an exclamation mark: the most vulnerable regions may lose their guaranteed visibility and still remain second-class. We have concerns that cohesion and agriculture could be pitted against each other. Until now they developed together. Bulgaria must say: the new priorities of Europe - defense, innovation, artificial intelligence, energy security are necessary, but they should not be built at the expense of cohesion policy."
European funds should be linked not only to reforms on paper. This is the backbone of our economy, Yotova is categorical.
"There was a group of countries that wanted industrial production to return to the EU. There was another group that said we cannot afford this. We must stimulate European production. I propose that the EU adopt a first map of energy and transport gaps, completion of cross-border corridors. AI and data regime, European market for defense procurement, special instruments for lagging regions.
A Europe of two speeds is the wrong answer to an existing problem, Yotova is categorical.
"Some countries want to go faster. It seems like an opportunity for faster decisions, but also creates invisible borders within the union. The EU was not created to arrange countries into first and second class. If a group of countries always makes the decisions and another group catches up. Projects must remain open, rules common. Otherwise, we will get a Europe of regional unions. A united Europe is more necessary than ever. Bulgaria can and must be an active participant in the new competitiveness. Bulgaria can be an energy hub. The vertical gas corridor shows the strategic importance for energy security."
"Bulgaria must insist that this corridor be not only gas but also energy. Interest in this corridor is growing more and more. Bulgaria can be a transport and logistics hub. Bulgaria can be a digital and AI hub. Bulgaria can be an industrial partner. From Sofia we will formulate proposals: the financial framework for 2028-2034 - to preserve cohesion policy, not to pit farmers against mayors. There must be regional guarantees. The EU must adopt an accelerated plan for energy connectivity."
According to the president, the axis Greece - Bulgaria - Romania - Moldova - Ukraine should be recognized as key for trade and defense.
"Europe will not become more competitive if it is divided. It will not become more secure if it is a market only for a few countries. A competitive Europe means a Europe that finishes what it started. Our main goal, at least my goal: Europe to regain its leading place in the world."
