Bulgaria Calls on EU for Equal Treatment of the Black Sea Region

With intense debates and a serious tone, the Bulgarian Parliament has adopted a declaration aiming to place the Black Sea region on an equal footing with the land border zones on the European Union's eastern border. With this act, Bulgaria issues a categorical call to the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the EU for fair treatment in the context of the mid-term review of cohesion policy.

The document was approved with the support of 123 members of parliament, while 16 voted "against," reflecting a political division on the matter. The declaration, proposed by MP Dimitar Gardev from "There Is Such a People" and representatives of the ruling coalition, was pre-approved on July 31 by the Parliamentary Committee on European Affairs and Control of European Funds.

At the core of the parliamentary position is the insistence that Bulgarian regions bordering the Black Sea should receive the same treatment as other zones in EU member states that have a land border with Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. The National Assembly emphasizes that this position must be upheld by the Council of Ministers not only within the current review of cohesion policy but also in the upcoming negotiations for the next multiannual financial framework for the period from 2028 to 2034.

The Black Sea Region: Risks and Consequences

The authors of the declaration point out that the Black Sea region, part of which is on Bulgarian territory, is exposed to increasing security risks, as well as significant economic and environmental consequences. These challenges are a direct result of the ongoing aggressive war in Ukraine, which has a substantial and visible effect on the eastern regions of the country. Such a formulation, which emphasizes the direct impact of the conflict on Bulgarian territory, reflects the serious concern of the parliament regarding regional stability and security.

In his explanation to the plenary hall, the chairman of the European Affairs Committee, Dimitar Gardev, stated that the declaration is a reaction to a proposed change in the regulatory framework of cohesion policy. According to him, extraordinary financial support is being proposed for regions on the EU's eastern border, bordering Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, due to their specific challenges related to security and their geopolitical importance. Gardev, however, pointed out that in this framework, the Black Sea region was neglected. "The Black Sea region is not included in the proposed framework and amendments," he noted, adding that with this declaration, the National Assembly supports Bulgaria's already expressed national position on the matter.

This position comes against the backdrop of ongoing tension in the Black Sea basin, which is strategically important for the security of Europe. The Bulgarian Parliament, by adopting the declaration, clearly states that the region must be considered equal to other crisis zones on the EU's eastern border. This is not only an economic but also an important geopolitical signal that Sofia will continue to insist on adequate recognition and compensation for the risks faced by its eastern regions.