17 февруари 2018

Achievements from Sofia






Interparliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the
Common Security and Defence Policy 

15-17 February, Sofia 



Statement of the Heads of Delegations 




The Inter-Parliamentary Conference, 

EU as a Global Player: 

1. Takes the view that the EU needs to take on more responsibility on the internationalscene in order to successfully address the global challenges and threats it faces; insiststhat the EU needs to be an effective, credible and values- based global player, with acapacity for swift action and effective dialogue with other global players; 
Recalls that the EU should speak with one voice, act together and focus its resources on strategic
priorities. 

2. Encourages the Heads of State and Government of the EU Member States to continue
working within the European Council on the objectives set out in the Rome
Declaration of 25 March 2017; Calls on the European institutions to act jointly at all
levels in response to the expectations of the Union citizens to build “a safe and secure
Europe; a prosperous and sustainable Europe; a social Europe; and a stronger Europe
on the global scene”. 

Implementation of the EU Global Strategy: 


3. Reaffirms the importance of promoting through the EU Global Strategy the common interests of EU citizens as well as the values and principles of the EU, and stresses that an effective implementation of this strategy requires strong commitment and support of the Member States and of the EU institutions; Calls for a continuous strengthening of the EU’s voice in the UN, as the EU is committed to a global order based on internationallaw; supports the progress made on the guidelines of the Global Strategy of the EU from
June 2016 and the focus on building inclusive and ambitious Permanent Structured Cooperation through the development of specific projects and modules. 

4. Reaffirms the role of the EU in security and defence of Europe and that of NATO as a guarantor of the common defence of its members, taking into account the fact that not all EU Member States are NATO Member States; supports the efforts of the two organisations to complement and reinforce each other, as both organizations are in possession of unique set of tools, which are necessary to tackle multidimensional challenges, such as hybrid threats or instability in our neighbourhood. Underlines the need to develop the EU’s civilian and defence capabilities for the benefit of both organisations. 

5. Notes that the stability and security of our neighbours adds to the security of the entireEU, and effective EU policies in its neighbourhood are essential to our global activity. 

Therefore, enhancing the resilience of the EU’s neighbours should remain a priority. 

Accelerating Reforms in View of the Accession of the Western Balkans to the EU: 

6. Reiterates the need for a strategic focus on the Western Balkans region and welcomes the 2018 EU Enlargement Strategy. Urges the EU Heads of State and Government to redeclare at their Sofia Summit on 17 May 2018 the European membership perspectives of the Western Balkans countries.

Believes that democracy, prosperity and stability are the key priorities for further development in the region;

calls on the Western Balkan countries to put more efforts in improving the socio-economic and political conditions of the region; believes that the strengthening of social and economic rights makes an important contribution to the enhancement of security. 


7. Is convinced that European integration, regional cooperation, reconciliation and resolution of bilateral disputes are the best means to address the dangers that the region is currently facing, stemming from political and historical grievances.
Underlines existing threats of destabilizing the region resulting from foreign interference and influences, as well as extreme nationalism and xenophobia. Calls on the countries of the region to align with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy. 

8. Stresses the need to remain fully dedicated to the respect of the rule of law, fostering highly effective political and civil societies, and free media in the region, along with good governance, judicial independence, freedom of expression, minority rights, fight against corruption and organised crime. 

9. Emphasizes that strengthening security, capacity building and reinforcing resilience in the Western Balkans and other partner countries must be an essential element of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, including the EU Common Security and Defence Policy and an area of enhanced EU-NATO cooperation.
Notes that the European aspirations of each country of the region can only be fulfilled according to each country’s progress and merit. 

10. Underlines the high importance of strategic communication in fostering a dialogue and understanding between EU and Western Balkans, countering disinformation and maintaining stability. 

11. Welcomes Montenegro’s undeniable progress in the negotiation process, ascertained by all political and economic indicators, while underlining that Montenegro is a stabilizing factor in the region – with its NATO membership and the Agreement on the Borders signed with BiH in 2015.
Welcomes the opening of negotiations on Chapters 2 and 3. 

Expects that by the end of the current Presidency Trio, Estonia-Bulgaria-Austria, the process of opening of the remaining chapters will be completed.

Urges to step up domestic efforts on the consolidation of democracy, the rule of law and media freedom; urges to step up the fight against corruption and organised crime.
 Calls for starting the process of discussing the indicators for closing Chapters 23 and 24. 

Commends Montenegro’s continued full alignment with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy. 

Emphasizes that the enlargement process is based on an assessment of each of the negotiating parties’ individual progress; urges the country to complete the necessary  reforms by 2025. 

12. Welcomes the progress of Serbia in the accession negotiations with the EU and expects steady progress with regard to the remaining chapters. Encourages further reforms in key policy areas of the integration process.
Urges to step up efforts on fighting corruption and enhancing judicial independence and media freedom.
Urges the country to complete the reforms by 2025. 

Welcomes an internal debate and calls for furthering the dialogue with Pristina - a factor for improving relations and stability in the region as a whole.

Calls for closer cooperation and stronger alignment with the EU in the sphere of Common Foreign and Security Policy and in the process of Serbia`s accession to the EU. Asserts that cooperation with neighbouring countries to tackle the migration crisis has produced results and should continue. 

Encourages better further integration of minorities and ethnic communities in the field of culture and education, which is important for social cohesion
based on the common values of the Union. 

13. Welcomes Albania’s progress on the five key priorities which are a prerequisite for starting accession negotiations with the EU. Supports the judicial reform, including the vetting process, undertaken by the country and expects that this reform moves to completion, as a key element contributing to the fight against corruption and organized crime. In this regard, welcomes the recent launch of the action plan on the fight against organized crime. 

Takes note of the recently adopted Law on the Protection of National
Minorities and encourages Albania to draft swiftly the necessary legislation and executive orders that will establish the rights of minorities in practice, including the right to self-identification. 

Commends Albania's continued full alignment with the EU Common
Foreign and Security Policy. Supports starting the accession negotiation process upon the fulfilment of the commitments; Calls for inclusive political dialogue and cooperation of political parties in the integration process. 

14. Welcomes the constructive approach of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on improving relations with its neighbours and to seek mutually acceptable solutions to long pending issues.
 Encourages cooperation with its neighbours on tackling the migration crisis and other regional challenges.
Calls for close regional cooperation and asserts that infrastructure connectivity with neighbouring countries has the support of the European Union.

Calls for an inclusive internal political dialogue and social integration of ethnic communities in all spheres of public life and the reduction of youth unemployment, which will greatly contribute to the success of the undertaken reforms. 

15. Encourages Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to continue implementing the reforms linked to integration with the EU and calls on BiH to continue progress on the Reform Agenda.

Further strengthening institutions at all levels in cooperation with the European Union must remain a priority. Underlines that the successful development of the country depends on guaranteeing the functioning of the rule of law by implementing the Constitutional principles and the decisions of the Constitutional Court , strengthening public administration at all levels, as well as long-term reforms going beyond the internal short-term political and electoral cycles; calls for strengthening the parliamentary cooperation with the European Union, and calls for adoption of the Rules of Procedure of the EU-BiH SAPC; urges to respect the rule of law and to abide by decisions of the Constitutional Court;
 calls upon all parties to urgently implement the necessary changes in the Election Law in due time ahead of the next general elections. 

16. Asserts that the entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and the programme for its implementation provide an opportunity for Kosovo1 to achieve successful reforms in cooperation with the EU, provided that this is done in full accordance with international law.
Expects the new government to seize the opportunities provided by this cooperation for sustainable progress in the fight against organized crime, unemployment, strengthening institutions, functioning of public administration and the defence of individual freedoms at all levels. 

Urges Kosovo authorities to urgently address rule of law and justice issues. Calls on the local Assembly to ratify the Agreement on Border Demarcation with Montenegro and continue with improving the track record in prosecution of high-level organised crime and corruption cases in order to move forward on EU visa-liberalisation.

Welcomes implementation of the Justice agreement and calls for continued engagement in and commitment to the dialogue with Belgrade and the implementation of the already reached agreements; underscores the importance of the undisturbed work of the Specialist Chambers of the Kosovo court system for the country’s international and Euro-Atlantic integration. 

The Common Security and Defence Policy: 

17. Reiterates that the EU has all the means to be an influential global player able to project stability towards its neighbourhood and beyond and shape a rule-based international order. 
In this context, calls for even deeper cooperation and coordination between the EU institutions and the Member States. Stresses the need to enhance cooperation with other global and regional powers on global threats and challenges. 

18. Commends the progress in implementing the EU Global Strategy in the area of security and defence made in 2017 and encourages Member States to swiftly continue with further implementation works. Welcomes the launch of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and urges the member states to implement it in the most ambitious way possible. 

19. Calls on the Member States to develop the Lisbon Treaty’s full potential with regard to the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) as a step towards political union through the progressive framing of a common defence policy, and welcomes in this context the Implementation Plan on Security and Defence. 

20. Supports further efforts to increase European defence capabilities through defence investments,enhanced cooperation and sustainable development of European defence industries across the EU with a view to develop better responses to crises and military threats; 
highlights the important role in this process of the European Defence Fund, the European Defence Research preparatory action and the European Defence Industrial Development Programme in providing incentives for more European armaments cooperation, encouraging cross border participation of SMEs and mid-caps by fostering investments in defence supply chains, delivering urgently needed capabilities and in consolidating the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. 

21. Believes that a more ambitious approach to the EU-NATO partnership is needed, in full respect for the decision-making autonomy of each organisation. In this respect, welcomes the new proposals for EU-NATO cooperation in areas such as hybrid threats, the fight against terrorism, cyber security, cross-border military mobility in Europe and maritime security issues. 

Collaboration between the two organisations should be further stimulated
in areas such as operational cooperation, exercises, cyber security, strategic
communication, defence industry and research, capability development as well as capacity building and strengthening the resilience of partner countries. 

22. Supports the efforts to assume greater responsibility for protection of Europe and for response to external crises, while deepening cooperation with NATO; Stresses the need to strengthen the internal resilience of the EU ensuring real progress in countering hybrid threats, cyber security, protection of critical infrastructure, strategic communication, and fight against terrorism. 


23. Encourages a review of the EU’s approach to civilian CSDP missions in order to ensure they are properly devised, implemented and supported; considers that the European Defence Agency (EDA) should be endowed with the necessary financial and human resources following the recent long-term review; stresses that the EU Battlegroups could be a useful tool for the implementation of the CSDP and should be used to their full responsive potential; encourages Member States to provide effective funding to that end; 
 invites Member States to consider the possibilities to improve CSDP advanced planning through the establishment of a European Civilian-Military Capability consisting of the recently established Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) and the existing Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC), to plan and conduct military operations and civilian missions coherently . 

Black Sea Region: 

24. Notes that the changed security environment in the Black Sea region is a serious challenge for the EU, and it continues to have a major impact on security and stability throughout the Euro-Atlantic zone. Believes that the EU must remain a driving force for continuing reforms in neighbouring countries towards democratisation, inclusiveness and growth on the basis of the Euro-Atlantic values. Backs the outcome of the 5th Eastern Partnership Summit, contained in a roadmap for cooperation in the nearest future the “20 deliverables for 2020”, aimed at building a democratic, stable, prosperous and sustainable region; encourages effective implementation of sectorial commitments from that
document, with a particular focus on connectivity, youth and resilience. 

25. Supports EU-NATO cooperation on the management of migratory flows in the Aegean Sea and the Central Mediterranean as a measure that enhances international law and the protection of forced migrants. 
Appropriate measures are needed to prevent such pressure in the Black Sea region along with development policies in the migrants’ countries of origin, aiming at addressing the root causes of mass migration.

Adequate funding to EU countries receiving migrants and hosting asylum-seekers should continue and measures should comply with relevant EU decisions. Additional measures should be implemented towards the co-management and co-financing of migration policy at European borders. 

26. Calls on the European institutions to increase visibility of the Black Sea region, including by enhancing connectivity with the Danube region, and by exploiting the potential of other EU macro-regional strategies. 

Eastern Partnership: 

27. Emphasizes the shared EU’s commitments to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Eastern Partnership countries, peaceful resolution of any disputes and application of international law, democratic standards and the respect of human rights, the rule of law, and good and transparent governance.

28. Underlines the need to increase the focus on reform agenda in these countries by applying the more for more principle, implementing the “20 deliverables for 2020”, building incentives and conditionality, streamlining international assistance, boosting growth and investments. 

29. Emphasizes that Russia remains a crucial factor for the security and stability all across Europe, and beyond.  

Deplores Russia’s violations of international law and its hybrid warfare and calls on the VP/HR and the Council to play a more active and effective role in solving protracted and frozen conflicts; stresses the importance of balance and integrity of five principles for the EU’s relations with Russia, agreed by the Foreign Affairs Council in March 2016. 

These guidelines include an effective implementation of the Minsk agreements as a prerequisite for any substantial change in EU-Russia relations, and serve as a credible deterrence, including against the use of hybrid warfare. 

Reiterates its support to the EU’s imposition of restrictive measures against individuals and entities in Russia in response to the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula, and military aggression in Eastern Ukraine and stresses that these measures will remain in force until Russia returns to following the principles of international law. Urges paying close attention to the status of human rights, democracy and rule of law in Russia as well as enhancing support to Russia’s civil society as it faces permanent pressure and threatening. 

Southern Neighbourhood: 

30. Notes the necessity to promote a peaceful and prosperous Mena region as a condition for the stability of the European Union; calls on the EU to give a strong contribution to solve conflicts and promoting development and human rights in the countries of the south and east shore of the Mediterranean to addressing the threat of terrorism, the challenges of demography, migration and climate change, and to seizing the opportunity of shared prosperity. 

31. Reaffirms that a secure Mediterranean is a necessary pre-condition for a secure Europe; supports the efforts of the United Nations to stabilise Libya, urges all parties to commit toa unite country in which all different components are fairly represented and calls for a wider commitment of the European Union in this respect; welcomes the achievements of Tunisia in the field of democratic development and calls for an ever-increasing assistance from the European Union in order to allow the country to continue on this path.

32. Takes note of the position of the European Union on the region of Cyprus and its exclusive economic zone. Calls for compliance with international law and treaties, the acquis communautaire, the principles upon which the European Union is founded, as well as the principles of good neighbourliness. 


Note to item 16:
1
This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR
1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.



BULGARIAN MESSAGES



INTERPARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE

 FOR 

THE COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY 

AND

 THE COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY

Sofia, 15-17 February 2018



Opening Address 

by Dr. Dzhema Grozdanova, 

Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Bulgarian National Assembly



Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues,

Once again, welcome to Sofia!

I am happy to start the discussion on the future of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy in Europe.

Europe is changing and this is not news any more.

From the very beginning, the EU has been a promise of prosperity; a belief that the interdependence will reduce tensions and will lead to economic growth.

Today, we are facing a different picture. European societies are no longer satisfied with what was enough before.

What we see is declining unemployment, while increasing insecurity in our countries; we see rising budgets and, at the same time, diminishing trust in the institutions.

That is why one of the most important tasks for us, as parliamentarians, is to understand the change of public attitudes. Economic growth and declining unemployment are no longer winning elections, they are not satisfying the Europeans any more. Citizens are demanding something else: they want security. They understand that the situation in the world is different, and that the new times bring new dangers that can disrupt what we in Europe have achieved.

Photo: Desislava Kulelieva

As politicians, we need to understand and embrace this need for a Europe that protects

It is a Union that knows how to guard its external borders, a Union, which has the vision of keeping peace in its closest neighborhoods, and a Union that has the resources and determination to intervene in international conflicts in order to preserve its interests. 

As you all understand, this requires enhanced cooperation in the field of security and defense.

Not only Europe has changed, however. The whole security environment around us has changed.

Some 10 years ago the EU was the only possible model for rapid development, today it is not.

International terrorism has reached our streets and neighborhoods. Networks of extremists are trying to infiltrate our societies and we are still struggling to find the right answer.

Thousands of refugees and migrants are testing our physical borders and the limits of the European humanitarian potential.  

And we do not have a unified response.

All this requires that Europeans realize the need for a major upgrade of our security cooperation. EU countries can no longer rely on someone else to take care of our own security, especially in the face of all these challenges. 

We need to respond with a clear commitment from all Member States to improve cooperation.

We have made the first step with PESCO as a midterm goal. Short-term steps may be faster exchange of intelligence, clear analysis of what we lack, and possibly finding appropriate relations with the UK after Brexit, or non-EU countries.

Presidency Troika : Heads of the Delegations  of Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia and European Parliament                        Photo: National Assembly


Ladies and Gentlemen,

We do not need to look further than our front door if we are seeking to hone our skills in foreign and defense policy

More than anywhere else, the EU is competing for influence in the Balkans. 

And our policy must respond to this changed environment. 

The region already has problems with organized crime. It is also vulnerable to the influence of extreme religious ideologies. The countries in the Western Balkans are part of the refugee routes.


                                                                                                                                             Photo: National Assembly




That is why it is of the utmost importance for us to find the necessary instruments to make sure that these countries do not fail. There is a political momentum in the region to cease the opportunity and change the history of the Balkans: from a source of problems to a region that could be part of the solutions.

It is of particular importance for us to ensure that all those who want to join the EU truly share our European values, particularly when it comes to foreign and security policy. 

 Failure to do that will make the EU less capable of taking important decisions and will endanger its global role. Therefore, we must pay special attention to the alignment of CFSP positions by the candidate countries.

We should have no illusions: the societies of the Western Balkans are pragmatic. One of the possible approaches to them is a fair and open conversation on security issues. 

We should state that the solution to problems, such as terrorism and the management of migration flows, is not in the hands of any individual country. 

In the case of the countries of the Western Balkans, a failure to do that could pose a real threat to the stability of the countries in the region, but also for the EU. That is why cooperation in foreign and security policy is a desired option for both sides.

I hope that during the next two days we will debate in more detail all these challenges.
Change is the only inevitable thing in our life, thus we need to try to embrace it in our policies.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.




The Team of Ms. Grozdanova for preparation of the event. From the left :  Elena Naydenova, Vladimir Beron, Dr. Dzhema Grozdanova - the Chairperson of the Committee of Foreign Affairs, Latchezar Toshev, Antonia Parvanova, Desislava Kulelieva(phtographer), Stefka Ivanova, Maria Grouycheva.


Introductory speech of  

Mr. David McAllister
Chairman
of the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament
12th Inter-Parliamentary Conference on CFSP/CSDP,
Sofia, 2018



                              David McCallister                      Photo: National Assembly




Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,  

It is a great pleasure to see you all today. Thank you for being here in Sofia for two days of intense discussions - indeed we have a very interesting and dense programme!


I would like to congratulate the Bulgarian Presidency on the efficient organisation of this Conference and thank our hosts for the warm welcome; in particular, I would like to express my gratitude to Ms Dzhema Grozdanova, the Chairwomen of the Foreign Affairs Committee, for the good cooperation in the preparation of this Conference.


                                                                                         David McCallister,             Photo : National Assembly


I am very happy to see that we will discuss so many topics related to this region and its impact on European security. It is always important to look from the regional perspective and learn from the regional cooperation success stories.


A few months ago, in Tallinn, we mostly focussed on the European Union’s immediate neighbourhood. This week, we will prioritise wider, global issues whilst also addressing the Balkans, the Black Sea region and current developments in security and defence.


As you may know, the six Balkan countries are very dear to me.

 It is evident that they could turn into Europe’s Achilles heel if we, politicians on the both sides, do not live up to our responsibilities. Only by making difficult choices can we ensure democracy and lasting peace on our continent.


For some, riding waves of populist nationalist rhetoric looks more appealing than making bilateral concessions for stable and prosperous neighbourhood; drawing red lines – more tempting than resolving border disputes; glorifying history – easier than judging war criminals. As citizens feel uncertainty about the future, it is easy to offer imaginary quick fixes, which breed nationalism and xenophobia.


It took the European continent too long to start learning from own mistakes, so let’s not repeat them again. We therefore need a coherent and holistic internal, neighbourhood and foreign policy approach. Our neighbours face exactly the same challenges and threats as we do: migration flows, foreign interference, disinformation, propaganda. We can only tackle them together.


Step by step, we must more firmly embed the Western Balkans into the fabric of EU processes and structures, be it through co-operation with EU agencies, participation in the EU’s policies and programmes or involvement into the EU’s CSDP missions and operations. In this regard, I welcome the ideas spelled out in the new Western Balkans Strategy of the European Commission.


Let us not forget that every enlargement (since the first one 45 year ago) is an opportunity for the EU to renew and reform itself, and the ongoing accession process is not an exception.


14 years ago the EU underwent its biggest-ever enlargement- In 14 years from now, the EU will yet again have a different shape and form. Let’s bear in mind the profound changes that Europe and the world went through from the first enlargement of the European Communities in 1973 to its latest round in 2013.


As regards the soon-to-be members, there can be no shortcuts for the rules and values which are at the very core of the EU and thus non-negotiable. Let me underline that there can be no double standards - we in the Union must live up to the same ones we expect our partners to follow.


I welcome the action-oriented Bulgarian focus on the Western Balkans, which I am sure will be further pursued by our Austrian and Romanian friends.


Bulgaria itself is a case of a positive EU-supported transformation, and it is leading by example on the good neighbourly relations, as the recent ratification of the Friendship Agreement with the FYROM demonstrates.


Bulgaria, which joined the EU eleven years ago and continues its profound transformation triggered by the EU membership, is well placed to make 2018 a year of breakthroughs, ushering irreversible positive changes in the enlargement countries. EU membership is not an end in itself - it is a path towards peaceful, democratic, open and prosperous societies.


The parliamentary dimension is an essential component of the accession process, not least because parliamentary consent is required for such fundamental decisions as the enlargement. Let me assure you of the European Parliament’s continued support in your engagement with South East Europe. Let’s do everything in our hands to ensure we enlarge the circle of effective democracies (and not “defective democracies”).


Furthermore, I would like us to reflect upon the EU’s role as a global actor and about our responsibility that results from this aspiration, but also about the nature of our multipolar world and about the rules that shape the global order today. I believe the ongoing shift in the global balance of power requires the EU member states to act more as a collective on the world stage. The multilateral system can no longer rely on top-down solutions for global problems.


I guess all of us are happy to see that the EU has made progress on building a more competitive and integrated defence last year.  Finally, the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) was established. 25 member states decided to strengthen cooperation in this area. That was a very important step indeed. Now this new cooperation framework needs to be filled with life. 2018 will be crucial for further progress in this area.


2018 will also be a crucial year for EU foreign policy because we will start the deliberations on the EU's financial resources for the post-2020 period. The Commission will put forward its proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework and the next generation of external financing instruments before the summer. The outcome of the ensuing negotiations between the Member States and the European Parliament will be decisive for the EU's ability to exert influence and promote its values in its wider neighbourhood and on the global stage.


I firmly believe that the EU needs to be endowed with sufficient resources for its external action. The recent mid-term review of the financing instruments has shown that these instruments are by and large effective in promoting the EU's foreign policy interests. Therefore, despite Brexit the financial allocations for these instruments should at the very minimum remain constant if not increased. We simply cannot afford to lose further influence at a time when other players are massively stepping up their global engagement in ways that often run counter to our interests.


In the meantime, I look forward to all the other debates we are about to hold during this conference. I take this opportunity to reiterate the importance for us, as parliamentarians, to actively engage in the debate on our common European foreign and security policy, both at EU and national levels.


Thank you very much and I wish us all an excellent conference!




Workshop : 
Strategic Energy and Transport Connectivity in the Western Balkans.

Moderator: Mr. Assen Agov

Speakers :
Mr. Goran Svilanovic,Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Serbia
Mr. Zhecho Stankov, Deputy Minister of Energy, Bulgaria










16 февруари 2018

БЪЛГАРСКИ ПОСЛАНИЯ


Интерпарламентарна конференция за  Обща външна политика и политика за сигурност (ОВППС) и Обща политика за сигурност и отбрана (ОПСО)
15 – 17 февруари 2018 г.
София

СЛОВО 
НА 
Г-ЖА ЦВЕТА КАРАЯНЧЕВА
ПРЕДСЕДАТЕЛ НА НАРОДНОТО СЪБРАНИЕ




Откриване на конференцията  Фото: Народно събрание


ВИДЕО на речите при откриването на Конференцията на английски език  :






Съединението прави силата



                                                        Фото: Народно събрание

Уважаема Г-жо Върховен представител на Европейския съюз по въпросите на външните работи и политиката за сигурност,

Уважаеми Г-н Председател на Комисията  по външните работи в Европейския парламент,

Уважаема Г-жо Председател на Комисията по външна политика на Народното събрание,

Уважаеми Г-н Председател на комисията по отбрана на Народното събрание,

Уважаеми участници в Интерпарламентарната конференция за  Обща външна политика и политика за сигурност и Обща политика за сигурност и отбрана,
На снимката : Г-жа Цвета Караянчева с депутатите Димитър Главчев и Христо Гаджев                                                                                               Фото: Народно събрание

Добре дошли в София, по повод провеждането на този важен парламентарен форум.

Европейският съюз е общност както на държавите-членки, така и на гражданите на Обединена Европа, представлявани от своите народни представители.

Днес, когато се сблъскваме с предизвикателствата на нашето време и  дискутираме за бъдещото развитие на европейския проект, ролята на националните парламенти е особено важна.

Ние избрахме за девиз на нашето председателство „Съединението прави силата“, който е и девизът изписан на сградата на Българския парламент, завещан ни от нашите славни предци – строителите на съвременна България. 

„Съединението  прави силата“ беше и мотото  на българското председателство на Комитета на Министрите на Съвета на Европа през 2015-2016г., който ние отправихме към Голяма Европа - на 47-те европейски държави. 

Това е нашето ясно послание, което отправяме към всички вас, които сте представители на европейските граждани.  

Европейският проект беше най-големия мирен проект на 20 век.
Бихме искали всички европейски граждани да си дадат сметка за това.

Ние се гордеем с участието на България в първия конгрес на Пан-Европейското движение през 1926 г. във Виена, където българският представител проф.Иван Шишманов беше избран за Вицепрезидент на този първи европейски форум.

Тогава тези светли умове поставиха пред гражданите на раздираната от конфликти Европа предложения за избор, заложени в Европейския манифест :

Война или мир

Хаос или ред

Съперничество или сътрудничество

Колапс или възход

Обединена Европа се роди след ужасите на Втората световна война, когато народите решиха да заместят враждите със сътрудничество.

За съжаление, след края на войната, когато започна обединението на Европа, нашата страна, не по своя воля,  беше останала на изток от „Желязната завеса“.

Поради това тя беше  лишена от възможността да се включи в основаването на европейските институции. Но отците-основатели на Обединена Европа още тогава заявиха, че нашите места в тези институции ще бъдат запазени.

След разрушаването на „Берлинската стена“ и ние заехме своите места в голямото европейско семейство, където участваме, заедно с останалите европейски държави като равни сред равни.

Ние вярваме, че можем да преодолеем всички трудности изникващи пред нас, ако се изправим срещу тях заедно.

Надяваме се, че идеята за европейското единство е приета от всички европейци. Вярно е, че има различни гледни точки по това как, а не дали да се осъществява по-ефективно европейското сътрудничество. 

Ние сме убедени, че диалогът е този, който формира общността.

Преди да говорим за скоростите на които да се движи европейския проект, трябва да препотвърдим общата ни визия за неговата посока и цел. 

Обсъждането на този най-важен въпрос трябва да включва максимално широки кръгове от обществото, за да може европейските граждани да се чувстват съпричастни и да приемат като свой този проект за бъдещето. 

 Защото това е бъдеще, което ще споделяме заедно. Така можем да постигнем демократична сигурност и просперитет на нашия континент и най-ефективно да защитим интересите на нашите граждани.

Днес ние имаме нужда от един по-гъвкав и интегриран подход със засилване на връзките между държавите-членки на ЕС за ефективна борба с тероризма, проблемите с мигрантската вълна, гарантирането на киберсигурността, както и още по-активно сътрудничество в областите, свързани с отбраната. 

По този начин с общи усилия можем да подобрим защитата на гражданите на Европейския съюз. 

В този смисъл, участието на националните парламенти и Европейския парламент в прилагането и адаптирането на Глобалната стратегия на Европейския съюз за обща външна политика и политика на сигурност е изключително важно. 
 
Ето защо аз приветствам участието в този парламентарен форум на госпожа Могерини – Върховният представител на Европейския съюз по въпросите на външните работи и политиката на сигурност и нейната готовност за търсене и намиране на решения на общите проблеми заедно с парламентаристите от страните-членки. 


Федерика Могерини, Цвета Караянчева и Джема Грозданова на Конференцията

Приоритет на българското председателство е провеждане на активна политика към страните от Западните Балкани, които имат нужда от подкрепа на усилията им за пълноправно членство в Европейския съюз и НАТО.
Нашето послание към тях е, че местата им в европейското семейство са запазени и само от техния прогрес в покриването на критериите за членство зависи кога ще дойдат да ги заемат.
 Те също са част от европейското единство!
Това е важно, както за нашия регион, така и за цяла Европа.
Нямаме нужда от нови разделителни линии в Европа, а от изграждане на мостове – в прекия и в преносния смисъл, свързване на инфраструктурите, свързване на хората от тези страни и специално на младежите, на които принадлежи бъдещето.„

Председателят на Народното събрание Цвета Караянчева, Дейвид Макалистър-Председател на Комисията по външните работи на Европейския парламент и Джема Грозданова - Председател на Комисията по външна политика на Народното събрание.

 Това в никакъв случай не означава омаловажаване на ангажираността на Европейския съюз в сътрудничество със страните на изток и юг, които и занапред остават приоритет от изключителна важност  за общата външна политика и политика за сигурност на съюза.  

В един твърде разнороден свят в който живеем, ние трябва да защитаваме нашите европейски ценности и интересите на нашите граждани именно чрез провеждането на общи политики.

 Европейският проект показва, че „Единството в разнообразието“ е успешният модел.
Когато сме единни в своите политики, ние ще бъдем силни! Защото Съединението прави силата!