For us, the socialists in a united Europe, the European budget is above all a battle for justice, and I believe that a budget, and the largest in the history of the European Union (EU) at that, should start from the need for social justice. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Council of the BSP and the “BSP – United Left” coalition, Atanas Zafirov, during a public discussion on "Bulgaria and the new European budget 2028-2034: goals and opportunities", organized by the delegation of Bulgarian socialists in the European Parliament.
The forum is held at the "Grand Hotel Sofia". The participants are discussing the upcoming changes, strategic priorities, and Bulgaria's position in shaping the new budget policy.
According to Zafirov, the budget is not just a financial document but a political battle for the future of Europe.
What causes concern is the expected decrease in the percentage of cohesion funds, which is set at around 11 percent, and this is perhaps the lowest percentage in the entire history of the EU. Cohesion is the EU's strongest instrument for the regions. We, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, must not allow ourselves to be turned into a periphery as a result of the lack of cohesion. If the cohesion policy is the heart of Europe, it must be continued, Zafirov stated.
According to him, the shrinking of cohesion funding is a political message for everyone to fend for themselves. We must say that the cohesion policy is the backbone of solidarity, and Europe does not survive when the strong are alone, and Bulgaria will not accept a two-speed Europe, the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out.
According to him, Europe needs strong defense, but it is important to emphasize that without strong regions there is no security, and then defense remains only on paper. We support the strengthening of European security, but it is not only weapons, but above all infrastructure, work, economy, populated regions, farmers who do not go bankrupt. If we invest only in weapons, we forget about the people, we undermine our future, he noted. According to him, the regions must retain their direct access to European funds.
Zafirov also touched upon the topic of new taxes and fees being prepared at the European level, and emphasized that they can burden countries with lower incomes.
Europe will be strong when we are all strong, Europe is democratic when decisions serve the citizens, and not the bureaucracy, and we must send a clear message - we want a budget that responds to reality, and not to politically convenient formulas, said Atanas Zafirov.