The chairing of the rotating EU Presidency by Hungary and Poland in 2011 is a unique opportunity for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, according to Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov.

In a statement Wednesday dedicated to Bulgaria's foreign policy priorities during the Hungarian EU Presidency in the first six months of 2011, Mladenov declared that the combination of chairing of the EU by two Eastern European nations – as Poland will chair it in the second half of 2011 - for an entire year created very important opportunities for Bulgaria.

"This creates a unique opportunity for the countries from Central and Eastern Europe to see in the EU priorities of these two countries many of their own priorities which are typical of the views that we hold on a number of topics. These are topics connected with our common heritage in the past 50 years; a heritage that also has to do with the energy dependence on a single supplier," Mladenov said apparently referring to Russia and the former Soviet Union.

He outlined as the utmost priorities the issues of energy security.

"The matters dealing with the creation of a single EU energy market, the diversification of energy sources and supply routes and the security of these supplies are of major importance. That is why we welcomed the idea of the Hungarian Presidency to organized a summit on energy issues," Bulgaria's top diplomat said; he thinks a single meeting will clearly not be enough but will be crucial since it will establish the issue as a priority.

The second priority for Bulgaria during the Hungarian EU Presidency that he named is the implementation of the EU Danube Strategy.

"The Danube Strategy gives chances not only to the countries along the Danube but most of all to the districts and municipalities to find funding for their own projects – as well as to deepen the cooperation on both sides of the river," Mladenov declared pointing out that the realization of the three pillars of the Danube Strategy must not jeopardize the efficient use of the EU Cohesion Funds available for the member states.

He pointed to the start of the discussions for the next financial framework of the EU for 2014-2020 and the future of the Cohesion and Common Agricultural Policy of the EU as a third crucial area to be tackled during the Hungarian Presidency as well as the following presidencies.

Other topics of major importance for Bulgaria that Mladenov outlined are the integration of the Roma on a EU-level and the enlargement of the EU with respect to the Western Balkans.

He mentioned the expected completion of the accession talks with Croatia, getting an EC position of Serbia's bid, and the quick formation of a government in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He explicitly emphasized the development of the EU policies in the Black Sea region.

"It is important for us how we look to the east, and how we look to the south, but it is most important how we look to the southeast, to the Black Sea – or the way the EU will integrate its work on the Black Sea Synergy and the Eastern Partnership," Mladenov said.

He mentioned Bulgaria's Schengen Area access "last but not least."

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!