Bulgaria's EU presidency officially launched in Sofia

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Bulgaria's six-month rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) was officially launched on Thursday at a special ceremony attended by the highest local and EU officials.

"Europe is too big to be monolithic, but too small to be divided," Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said at the ceremony held in the Ivan Vazov National Theater.

Therefore, the motto of Bulgaria's EU Presidency is "United We Stand Strong," Radev added.

European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, Bulgaria's speaker of parliament Tsveta Karayancheva, European Council President Donald Tusk, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borissov (L-R) attend an event marking the start of Bulgaria's six-month presidency of EU ministerial councils in Sofia, Bulgaria, January 11, 2018. /Reuters Photo

He believes Bulgaria has taken up the Presidency in a difficult time.

"I am convinced that when the problems affect everyone, the key is in realism and solidarity efforts," Radev stated.

Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, said it is a good thing that one of the priorities of the Bulgarian presidency is the future of the Western Balkans.

"Who, if not you – the descendants of Spartacus, the inheritors of the oldest European statehood, you, who never ever lost a flag in any battle – would be better placed to rise to this important and exceptionally difficult task, that is to renew the European perspective for the whole of the region," Tusk said.

European Council President Donald Tusk speaks next to Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev (R-L) during an event marking the start of Bulgaria's six-month presidency of EU ministerial councils in Sofia, Bulgaria, January 11, 2018. /Reuters Photo‍

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov underlined that many questions would be asked and many answers given during the next six months on issues such as EU's cohesion policy, cyber security, common European defense, migration crisis. In order to provide hope for EU membership to the peoples of the Western Balkans.

For his part, Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, said that Bulgarian Presidency is taking place at a crucial moment when the EU has to carry out a number of initiatives in the interests of its citizens and shape its future.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Borissov could lead Europe and build bridges, Juncker said.

The President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, who also held a speech at the ceremony, added that the motto of Bulgaria's EU Presidency "summarizes, in four simple words, our common endeavor for the coming six months."

He said, "together we must tackle the many challenges ahead of us and make Europe fit for the future. Together we must continue our reflection on how to improve our Union, to make it more efficient, more democratic and closer to our citizens, especially to the younger generations."

European Parliament President Antonio Tajani speaks during an event marking the start of Bulgaria's six-month presidency of EU ministerial councils in Sofia, Bulgaria, January 11, 2018. /Reuters Photo

The ceremony, attended by a total of 780 guests, also featured performances of the anthems of Bulgaria and the EU, as well traditional Bulgarian songs and dances.

Meanwhile, near the building of the National Theater, the visitors enjoyed an interactive exhibition portraying Bulgaria's long history, magnificent architectural monuments, natural beauty and iconic artistic masterpieces.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency