Gian B.Campagnola: Bulgaria Will Achieve its Goals

Novinite Insider » INTERVIEW | July 29, 2003, Tuesday // 00:00
Gian B.Campagnola: Bulgaria Will Achieve its Goals Photo by Tony Tonchev(novinite.com)

Italy's Ambassador to Bulgaria Gian Battista Campagnola was born in Rome. He graduated Political Sciences at the University of Rome. His diplomatic career has begun in 1982 at the State Protocol Office. Ambassador Campagnola has covered various diplomatic positions in Tokyo, Brussels, Miami, San Josй (Costa Rica), Belize. He has also been Head of Secretariat and co-ordinator of the economic activity of the Direction General of the Economic Affairs of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and worked as advisor for foreign affairs of the Minister of Foreign Trade and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Crafts. Ambassador Campagnola has also visited lecture at the "Brookings Institute" of Washington on Transatlantic questions, and guest speaker at the University of Miami and the Florida International University on Italian-USA relations. Before being nominated for Italy's Ambassador to Bulgaria, Gian Battista Campagnola was Head of the Department for Relations with the Parliament of the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Campagnola answered questions of Milena Hristova, Editor-in-Chief of novinite.com and The News

Q: The drafting of new roadmap for completion of the talks on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU in 2004 and their integration into the Union in 2007 were announced as a priority of the Italian Presidency of the EU. Do You believe that Bulgaria will manage to achieve these ambitious goals?

A: According to the presidency conclusions of the Copenhagen and Thessaloniki European Councils and the Commission's Regular Report for 2002, Bulgaria has obtained an official recognition of its efforts and objectives as far as the conclusion of accession negotiations and accession to EU are concerned. Moreover, the goal to welcome Bulgaria as a new member in 2007 has been recently shared also by the European Union itself. Therefore, the Italian presidency along with the Delegation of the European Commission in Sofia, and in the spirit of continuity with the previous presidencies, is determined to furnish to Bulgaria all the necessary support and offer its maximum collaboration to the local Authorities. We count on the strong commitment of Bulgaria for the very important decisions, which are requested as far as the completion of negotiation is concerned.

Q: What might delay Bulgaria's negotiations?

A: As I mentioned before, the future of the accession negotiation and, consequently, the effective accession is in the hands of Bulgarians. I think that they have all the possibilities to achieve the ambitious goals of their country as demonstrated in the past by starting its "virtuous circle". By that, Bulgaria reached the mentioning of an accession date for 2007 in the last Regular Report of the European Commission, the endorsement of such mentioning in the Copenhagen European Council in December 2002 and, finally, the commitment for the completion of negotiation within 2004 in the Thessaloniki European Council in June 2003.

Q: Would You elaborate on Italy's support for the idea of immigrant holding centres outside the European Union?

A: On this important issue the commitment of the Italian Presidency is that of seeking a form of joint management of the migration flows in order to allow a fair balance between the integration of foreigners legally residing in the European Union and firm and resolute actions concentrated on combating illegal immigration and trafficking in human beings. However, the idea of "immigrant holding centres" as you said, is not an element of the Programme of the Italian Presidency. As far as I know, you may refer to a proposal of some other member State, which, to my information, has been withdrawn before the Thessaloniki European Council.

Q: What measures will Italy implement in combating terrorism and drugs during its Presidency?

A: Our intention is to re-launch the fight against terrorism and international crimes in the framework of multilateral cooperation settled immediately after 11 September 2001 with increased coordination among Member States. The Italian Presidency will also carry forward the task to enhance the role of Europol in this area. In the fight against drugs the most important point is to pursue the effective implementation of the 2000-2004 EU Action Plan to Combat Drugs.

Q: Do You think that Italy and its Prime Minister Berlusconi may inject what experts call a "much-needed energy" into the European Union?

A: I think that the programme for the next six months of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union is ambitious but, at the same time, realistic. Its implementation will guarantee an important contribute to a stronger presence of Europe in the world as a stable and competitive economy, important actor in international relations and space of freedom, security and justice. These goals must be achieved in particular on the basis of the work of the Intergovernmental Conference this autumn which will negotiate the text of the future Constitutional Treaty. Moreover, I would like to emphasize that Italy has always demonstrated its firm "europeism" and has also preserved jealously the spirit of the Founders. A much needed energy, as you mentioned, is therefore demonstrated by the quality and the level of our Programme.

Q: How would You comment concerns voiced over Mr Berlusconi's call for the EU to be further enlarged to include Turkey, Russia and Israel?

A: As far as Turkey is concerned, the priority of the Italian Presidency will continue to implement the pre-accession strategy defined for this country. The Presidency intends also to strengthen the relations between the European Union and the Russian Federation: those relations will increasingly have to take on strategic significance, underpinned by specific proposals for cooperation. Through these steps, the EU will undoubtedly increase its importance on the international scene, so it will be able to give a new and decisive impetus to the Middle East peace process as well.

Q: How did the war in Iraq damage relations between Europe and the United States? Is the rift too wide to heal? How do You see Bulgaria's position in this respect?

A: One of the most important priorities of the Italian Presidency is the re-establishment of the climate of dialogue, trust and full cooperation between the two sides of the Atlantic. We shall try to ensure that a fundamental vision based on common interests and shared values prevails over short-term misunderstandings and difficulties. In this context, the position of Bulgaria at the eyes of the European Union is that of appreciable equilibrium.

Q: Can You describe Bulgaria in three words?

A: I would describe qualities that Bulgaria already proved in several occasion and with regard to crucial choices for its development: determination, courage and wide-spread consensus on the strategic goals for its future.

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