Written by Ralf Drachenberg.
‘This is Europe’ – an initiative proposed by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola – consists of a series of debates with EU leaders to discuss their visions for the future of the European Union. In the address of the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolai Denkov, to the European Parliament on 22 November 2023, historic symbolism – and its importance for today’s and tomorrow’s Europe – was a central theme. Mr Denkov also urged that Bulgaria’s integration into the EU be completed by joining Schengen and the euro area. Recalling that Bulgaria had fulfilled all the requirements for its accession to the Schengen area, he stressed that any further postponement would be unacceptable. In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, he pleaded not to give in to war fatigue, but to continue supporting Ukraine. To overcome polarisation in our societies, he also called upon the main political ideologies in the EU not to develop into sharp opposition, but to promote mutual understanding and cooperation. Finally, Mr Denkov emphasised the need to change the public’s views on the EU in many Member States and break with existing stereotypes, and he frequently depicted the EU as a source of ‘generous funds, benefits and a place for better paid work’.
Do not ask what the EU can do for your country, ask what your country can do for the EU.
Nikolai Denkov
Background
Roberta Metsola launched the ‘This is Europe’ initiative shortly after her election as President of the European Parliament in January 2022. Nikolai Denkov is the 11th EU leader to have addressed the Parliament since its Conference of Presidents endorsed the initiative on 28 April 2022.[1] These debates will continue during subsequent sessions. A similar Parliament initiative, ahead of the 2019 European elections, saw a number of EU leaders speak in Parliament’s plenary sessions about their views on the future of Europe. A 2019 EPRS analysis of those debates pinpointed similarities and differences between EU leaders’ views.
The ‘This is Europe’ initiative is particularly relevant in the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE), and the preparations for the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029.
The CoFoE produced 49 proposals on the EU’s future policies and functioning (see the EPRS overview), including more than 300 measures by which they might be achieved. Research by EPRS has shown that there is significant convergence between the results of the CoFoE and the priorities of the European Council, as expressed in the latter’s Strategic Agenda 2019‑2024 and its conclusions over the past three years. The European Council, on the initiative of its President, Charles Michel, has started the reflection process on the priorities for the next institutional cycle, which will lead to the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029. The first step in the reflection process was a discussion at the informal European Council meeting in Granada on 5-6 October 2023, on the basis of general questions formulated by Charles Michel. The next step involves a series of consecutive group meetings with a small number of EU leaders representing a mix of geographical regions in the EU, political party affiliations and diversity of opinion. Three meetings have taking place to date: on 13 November in Berlin, 14 November in Copenhagen and 16 November in Zagreb. Another meeting is expected to take place in Paris at the end of November.
Main focus of Nikolai Denkov’s speech
Prime Minister Denkov addressed a wide range of topics in his speech to Parliament (see Figure 1). In terms of words, he devoted most attention to i) the war in Ukraine, ii) European history, iii) geopolitical challenges, and iv) enlargement.
War in Ukraine
Mr Denkov warned of increasing signs of war fatigue in the EU, with voices even opposing the provision of support to the Ukrainian people. He stressed that, by helping Ukraine, we were helping Europe. If we did not do so, the situation in Ukraine could tomorrow be duplicated in Moldova, and the day after tomorrow even in one of the European Union Member States.
European history
Mr Denkov underlined that, today, for the first time in centuries, Europe was united in a union of independent and equal states, which is based on solidarity, freedom, democracy, equality before the law, the rule of law, respect for human dignity and the fundamental rights of all citizens.
Geopolitical challenges
Mr Denkov outlined the various ongoing conflicts that have an impact on the EU, such as those in Ukraine, the Middle East, the Far East and central and west Africa, warning that, for some of them, the situation could become further inflamed. He stressed that the EU could not turn a blind eye to these geopolitical challenges.
Enlargement
In the current international context, EU enlargement is becoming extremely important. Recalling that Bulgaria had always supported the accession of the Western Balkans to the EU, Mr Denkov underlined that enlargement nevertheless had to be based on real achievements by the candidates – and not on political calculations. He welcomed the Commission’s recommendation to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, in the hope that Georgia would soon join them. For him, the internal reform process to strengthen the EU’s enlargement capacity and the accession negotiations must be parallel processes.
Specific proposals and positions
Prime Minister Denkov used the opportunity to present his views on how the European Union should advance in specific areas, summarised below.
| Policy issue | Priority action and proposals (quotes) |
|---|---|
| Overcoming political polarisation | ‘The two main ideological and political trends in the EU, conservatism and liberalism, can and should develop not in sharp opposition, but in mutual understanding and cooperation.’ |
| Migration | ‘We need a new strategy that clearly distinguishes war refugees from economic immigrants. The EU must do its utmost to facilitate the reception of refugees and take all necessary measures to stop and discourage economic migrants.’ |
| Security and defence | ‘The EU must strengthen ties with its strategic NATO allies and strengthen its defence capabilities in cooperation between the countries within the alliance, including carefully considering the idea of creating a single European army.’ |
| Russian attacks on Bulgarian society | ‘Bulgaria is subject to targeted hybrid attacks. Putin’s secret services and propaganda take advantage of our country’s economic and raw material ties to Russia, as well as the historical and cultural ties between our peoples, to divide and confront our society against Russophiles and Euro-Atlanticists.’ |
Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘‘This is Europe’ debate in the European Parliament: Speech by Nikolai Denkov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria, 22 November 2023‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.
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