General Affairs Council: MFF, EU Enlargement, and Rule of Law

Ministers for European Affairs held a key meeting in Brussels today as part of the regular monthly meeting of the "General Affairs" Council. Bulgaria was represented by Ambassador Rumen Alexandrov, the country's permanent representative to the European Union. The meeting took place against the backdrop of escalating international events, which necessitated a focus on some of the most pressing issues facing the Community.

The agenda of the meeting was extensive and included the preparation for the upcoming December meeting of the European Council, a review of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), a discussion of relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom, the legislative planning of the European Commission, as well as the traditional annual dialogue on the rule of law.

Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)

A central topic of discussion was the proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2028-2034. Particular attention was paid to national and regional partnership plans. Bulgaria expressed the categorical need to preserve Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy, emphasizing their key role in achieving the goals set in accordance with the Treaties of the European Union. In this regard, the Bulgarian side expressed reservations about the proposal for a potential merger of these two main policies with other priorities in a common national plan. Ambassador Alexandrov stressed that the next MFF should take into account the specific challenges facing the eastern regions of the EU, including the regions in the Black Sea basin. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of simplifying and reducing the administrative burden for citizens and businesses when using funds from European funds.

EU Enlargement

In the context of the Enlargement Package presented by the European Commission, which contained the annual progress reports of the candidate countries in the process of joining the EU, as well as in connection with the upcoming EU-Western Balkans summit on December 17, 2025, Ambassador Alexandrov confirmed Bulgaria's support for the EU enlargement process, based on the principles of own merit and the established methodology of the process. He called for an objective reflection in the conclusions of the EU Council of the uneven progress of the individual countries in the enlargement process.

Legislative Program

At the meeting, the European Commission also presented its legislative program for 2026. The document analyzes the current and future challenges arising from multiple factors, including threats to security and democracy, the tense geopolitical situation, economic risks and climate change. The meeting took place in a tense atmosphere, reflecting the complex foreign policy situation.