In her official participation at the General Affairs Council meeting, Elena Shekerlетova defended Bulgaria's interests on key European issues related to financial planning and strategic development of the union.
Experts discussed the draft budget for the period 2028-2034, which amounts to the impressive 2 trillion euros. The financial framework represents 1.26% of the gross domestic product of European countries, with an additional 0.11% for servicing debt instruments.
The new multi-annual financial strategy provides for a drastic reduction of operational programs - from 52 to 16. The budget structure will cover four main directions: social model, competitiveness, global presence, and administrative expenses.
The Bulgarian representative emphasized the need for a balanced approach that combines traditional policies with new challenges. Special emphasis was placed on financing less developed regions, support for agricultural producers and the fishing sector.
The proposal to triple investments in migration policy and border control was positively evaluated. Delegations also discussed the administrative simplification program, which includes six packages to reduce regulatory burden in various economic sectors.
During the meeting, member states unanimously adopted the 18th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. The new restrictive measures are aimed at the energy, banking, and trade sectors to increase economic pressure due to the ongoing aggression against Ukraine.
Discussions on the presented topics will continue at the Council's subsequent meetings, with further refinement of the financial framework and sectoral policies expected.