News

 Over 200 citizens, The President Rosen Plevneliev, Deputy Prime Minister Zlatanova and members of the European parliament participated in a public debate on the future of the EU, held on July 23 in Sofia.The participants discussed the latest issues for Bulgaria and EU  with European Commission Vice President Viviane Reding. Among the participants were representatives of the Union of Roma organizations 'Change': Dr. Stefan Panayotov,  Gancho Iliev,  Vergyul Ibryam and Deyan Kolev.

"I want to hear you" - with these words in Bulgarian language Commissioner Reding opened the debate. "Thank you for the music that you are greeting me with. For the positive energy that I feel. This is exactly what politicians need" Reding said at the opening of the public civil dialogue, referring to the protesters in front of the Central Military Club and the National Assembly. Her message was that democracy needs strong institutions and a strong judicial system and that the democracy and oligarchy are mortal enemies. Reding urged people to assert their rights and to participate actively in the country governing.  During the discussion Mrs. Reding expressed her basic thesis can be found at: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-13-655_bg.htm

An emotional and vigorous debate followed in which the majority of the attendants erupted against anything that irritates them in the country. They spoke about the principles of the European Union, European solidarity; they expressed their unhappiness with the corruption, oligarchy, the dependent media in the country. lay The moderator Boyko Vassilev  put huge efforts and skills  to maintain order allowing discussion. Often the speakers interrupted each other and were accusing each other of serving lobbies and economic interests. However, the debate was interesting and hit the highlights that are exciting for the community.

Vergyul Ibryam(Integro), Dr. Stefan Panaiotov ("The health of the Roma" - Sliven) and Gancho Iliev (World Without Borders - Stara Zagora) attracted the attention of the audience stretching a banner saying "Why do you refuse to talk to Roma organizations." Explaining the content of the poster, Deyan Kolev (Amalipe) stated "Mrs. Reding, the talk on Roma integration is part from the conversation about human rights as well as for the future of Europe, since Roma are untapped opportunities for both Bulgaria and Europe. Three months ago, Roma led NGOs left the National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Integration Issues in protest that this structure does not make real consultative process, but only an imitation of actions. We want real civil dialogue. For 3 months the government has been pretending that no such problem and do not want to hear us. Our question is, what European Commission intends to do to encourage the national governments to genuine dialogue with Roma NGOs and civil society organizations in general, and how the EC intends to make a real civil dialogue at European level since, I assume, you agree that the European Roma Platform is poor form? "

In response to this, Mrs. Reding made the following comments:

“I am the first Commissioner who took up the fate of the Roma during, you remember, when whole families, whole groups of ethnic minorities were deported from France. And at one point I said to President Sarkozy: "Enough!" He still has not forgiven me for that.

Since then, we have a Roma Platform in Europe and each Member State has a program for Roma to change their fate. 10 million people live below the poverty line, that is to say, it has to be changed the housing, health, employment and the most important thing for me is education, because if Roma children do not go to school, the next generation will be in the same difficult situation.

Therefore I have been urging each Member - State and, believe me, it is not easy, not easy at all ! Nowhere it is easy! It takes my nerves and a lot of effort to insist and insist and insist, because ... no one wants to lose the elections! And so we need to help these people to get out of poverty. For three years this has been in my portfolio and I will continue to do so, but also Roma must get out of this situation, not only waiting for the government, for the mayor or for the district administration. Roma communities must help themselves get out of this difficult situation!"

Provoked by the activity of the participants in the discussion, President Rosen Plevneliev once again expressed his opinion that the activity of civil society is the big news from Bulgaria in 2013. He pledged that he would continue the dialogue with citizens and promised to organize a debate on the most problematic issues - market economy, the media environment and the justice system. "The democracy is based on three core principles - market rather than oligarchic economy, independent media, not the media monopoly, justice system that administers justice for all and not for family and friends," said Plevneliev, at the close of the debate.