2018 Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

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Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
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Bulgarian Presidency of the EU 2018.svg
Logo of the 2018 Bulgarian presidency
1 January –30 June 2018
Council of the European Union
Website https://eu2018bg.bg
Presidency trio

Bulgaria held the presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2018. [1] [2] The presidency was the second of three presidencies making up a presidency trio, which began with the presidency of Estonia, and was followed by that of Austria. [3] It was the first time Bulgaria had held the presidency. [4] The motto that was chosen for the presidency was "United we stand strong". [1] [4]

Contents

Overview

The Bulgarian presidency had four major points on its agenda: (1) closing socioeconomic gaps, (2) planning for integration with states of the Western Balkans, (3) providing security and stability, and (4) adapting the economy in response to digital advances. [5] The presidency also had to face issues pertaining to the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union (Brexit), the continuing influx of refugees and migrants, and the planning for a new multiyear budget for the union. [6] [7]

Vladislava Gubalova, a research fellow at the GLOBSEC Policy Institute, described the presidency as "more about style than substance". [8] Gubalova stated that although the presidency did not make any major missteps, the progress that it made would likely not be seen as historic. [8] Overall, Gubalova considered the presidency satisfactory, and reported that it showed that Bulgaria was able to competently handle the competing interests of the European Union. [8]

References

  1. 1 2 List of presidencies of the Council of the European Union consilium.europa.eu
  2. ↑ Who’s who in the Bulgarian EU presidency Politico
  3. ↑ Estonia, Bulgaria and Austria ‘presidency trio’ outlines priorities EURACTIV
  4. 1 2 Priorities of the Bulgarian EU Council Presidency euromil.org
  5. ↑ Bulgaria assumes Presidency of the Council of the EU bundesregierung.de via Archive Today
  6. ↑ Turbulent times in Europe for Bulgaria Deutsche Welle
  7. ↑ Bulgaria FM: ‘Not only Bulgaria doesn't want refugees’ Deutsche Welle
  8. 1 2 3 The Bulgarian Presidency: more about style than substance EURACTIV
  9. ↑ Today at Commission: Sofia trip and electric pulse fishing Politico
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