Andrey Kovatchev

Bulletin

Through my work in the European Parliament I intend to be a strong voice for Bulgaria and my constituents. Bulgaria's future must be as a modern and prosperous European nation which both benefits from and contributes effectively to the European project.

We are of course faced with the challenge of restoring confidence in our political institutions, confidence which had been lost under previous governments. As a member of the GERB party I am committed to making this a reality and will use my influence in the European Parliament to ensure that our citizens and businesses can fully experience the opportunities and advantages that membership of the European Union brings. At the same time, we need to work harder to bring our citizens closer to the EU and impress on them its importance for their daily lives.

 

Head of the Bulgarian European People's Party Delegation

 

The EPP is the largest group in the European Parliament with 265 MEPs (out of 736). As head of the Bulgarian National Delegation of the EPP in the European Parliament I coordinate the work of our 6 MEPs (5 GERB, 1 Blue Coalition) and ensure that we cooperate well with the other heads of EPP national delegations as well as other political groups while at all times respecting the need to put Bulgarian interests first.

 

I am a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. This committee as well as focussing on the EU's external policies and agreements addresses issues such as human rights, democracy, and the protection of minorities in third countries. It also deals with the EU's relations with the United Nations and other international organisations and is a respected and influential forum for debate. The Committee is primarily concerned with the European Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). In these areas it is supported by the Subcommittee on Security and Defence of which I am also a full member. This subcommittee deals primarily with the EU's external peace-keeping and crisis management, and civilian training missions, for example those in Chad, Afghanistan and Georgia.

 

I am also a substitute member of the Committee on Regional Development on which I intend to be very active in promoting Bulgarian interests. This committee has co-decision power over the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund which are of vital importance to underdeveloped regions in Bulgaria and the rest of Europe. It also assesses the impact of other EU policies on economic and social cohesion and works with local and regional authorities to reduce the disparity between EU regions and promote real and equal opportunities for all.

 

Through my membership of the Delegation for Relations with the United States of America I will work to develop our existing strong and close relations with the United States, the new administration of President Obama, and Members of the United States Congress. Issues such as international security, climate change and the economic crisis are likely to be at the forefront of our discussions and cooperation. The transatlantic relationship is of vital importance for Europe and especially Bulgaria; as both a member of the EU and NATO, Bulgaria is committed to being a reliable and strong partner in what is one of the foundations of international security and stability.

 

Likewise as a substitute on the Delegation for Relations with ASEAN (The Association of South East Asian Nations) I will work to promote dialogue with the parliaments of the countries of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam as well as the ASEAN organisation as a whole. South East Asia is a region with incredible potential for future economic growth and we will work to facilitate mutually beneficial economic cooperation, while at the same time continuing to monitor certain specific human rights issues. In both delegations we will receive visits to the European Parliament from the representatives of the national parliaments and participate in a number of working missions to these countries throughout the year.

 

In my role as an MEP, I will strive to guarantee equal rights and opportunities as well as equal responsibilities for all citizens irrespective of their age, profession, social, ethnic, or religious background.

 

I am committed to working to ensure that there is a greater and deeper understanding of the European Union and its institutions among the Bulgarian people. If we as citizens understand and appreciate how many important decisions which affect our daily lives depend on the European institutions, I am sure we will all be eager to learn more and become more involved. During the elections I met many people who felt the same way and it is through this connection with citizens that I intend to make progress in accomplishing this task. As the European People's Party rightly states, 'we need to put the citizen at the heart of the European project'.

 

 

Buletin

News

	Dr. Andrey Kovachev, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, met today with Mr. Salah Sukkar, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Syria At the meeting, held at the request of the Syrian party the MEP, who heads the Bulgarian delegation in the European People's Party, strongly expressed his deep concern about the continuing violence in Syria. Andrey Kovatchev pointed that the actions…
	Today we mark the day of gratitude and honor to the victims of the communist regime On February 1, Bulgaria celebrates the Day of gratitude and honor to the victims of the communist regime.This symbolic date brings us back to the tragic February 1, 1945 when over 147 people from the political elite of the Third…

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