How many Times were Diplomatic Relations between Russia and Bulgaria Severed
If we look at history, there are not many cases in which relations between Bulgaria and Russia at the state level were as bad as they are at the moment.
Speaking European Too Well
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Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
By Milena Hristova
Here is an oddity. Amidst the standing ovations for Bulgaria's first EU Commissioner in Strasbourg, the country was smacked with a veterinary safeguard. Amidst the woes for Bulgaria's nuke units, due to be shut down next year, Prince Philippe of Belgium asked the country to be active in securing Europe's energy independence.
The European block is successful namely because it is a space of skilfully protected national interests. And it is a sign of poor negotiations skills, to put it mildly, when one sees Bulgarian politicians leaving the national interests' sinking ship.
Meglena Kuneva sounded like a real EU commissioner long before she was elected in Strasbourg. In her capacity of commissioner she surprisingly pledged Bulgarian consumers to be among her key priorities. In her capacity of EU Affairs minister we heard no word from her about those more than 100 companies that were sidelined over their reported failure to stick to EU veterinary legislation.
President Parvanov could have been harsher these days when discussing the decommissioning of nuclear units. Doesn't help a lot, but saves face. During his first mandate the president could excuse himself with the centrist government, which sent discordant signals to Brussels with regard to Bulgaria's energy sector. With a Socialist-led government in power, however, Parvanov's excuses can only sound lame.
But in 2007 the going will get tough for Kuneva and Parvanov. From its economy to its politics, Bulgaria will undergo a period of transition for which it is not fully prepared, not least because of politicians' lapses. The ride may well prove to be bumpy.
Here is an oddity. Amidst the standing ovations for Bulgaria's first EU Commissioner in Strasbourg, the country was smacked with a veterinary safeguard. Amidst the woes for Bulgaria's nuke units, due to be shut down next year, Prince Philippe of Belgium asked the country to be active in securing Europe's energy independence.
The European block is successful namely because it is a space of skilfully protected national interests. And it is a sign of poor negotiations skills, to put it mildly, when one sees Bulgarian politicians leaving the national interests' sinking ship.
Meglena Kuneva sounded like a real EU commissioner long before she was elected in Strasbourg. In her capacity of commissioner she surprisingly pledged Bulgarian consumers to be among her key priorities. In her capacity of EU Affairs minister we heard no word from her about those more than 100 companies that were sidelined over their reported failure to stick to EU veterinary legislation.
President Parvanov could have been harsher these days when discussing the decommissioning of nuclear units. Doesn't help a lot, but saves face. During his first mandate the president could excuse himself with the centrist government, which sent discordant signals to Brussels with regard to Bulgaria's energy sector. With a Socialist-led government in power, however, Parvanov's excuses can only sound lame.
But in 2007 the going will get tough for Kuneva and Parvanov. From its economy to its politics, Bulgaria will undergo a period of transition for which it is not fully prepared, not least because of politicians' lapses. The ride may well prove to be bumpy.
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