Bulgaria assumes EU Presidency

BRUSSELS, Jan 1 (KUNA) -- Bulgaria takes over the six-month rotating Presidency of the European Union from Estonia on Monday for the first time since the ex-communist Balkan country became an EU member in January 2007.
The motto of the Bulgarian EU Presidency is "United We Stand Strong." The new EU Presidency programme has four priorities, Future of Europe and the Young People, Western Balkans, Security and Stability and Digital Economy. The Bulgarian EU Presidency said that in the field of counterterrorism, special emphasis will be placed on the efficient implementation of the Passenger Name Record (PNR) regulation, the prevention of radicalisation and countering the phenomenon of foreign fighters.
It will work to implement effective mechanisms for increasing the security of EU citizens, strengthening border controls and a more effective management of migration processes.
The EU Presidency will seek to restore the normal functioning of the visa-free Schengen travel area.
The Bulgarian EU Presidency said it will work to support EU High Representative Federica Mogherini in seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Syria and the resumption of the negotiations in Geneva under the auspices of the UN.
The Presidency will support her efforts for reconstruction and reconciliation in Iraq, as well as efforts to find a political solution to the crisis in Libya based on the plan of the UNآ’s special envoy.
Work will also be carried out in support of the EUآ’s efforts to assist progress in the Middle East peace process towards a sustainable solution based on the two-state principle.
The Bulgarian Presidency will continue to support the efforts of the EU High Representative for strengthening European cooperation in the area of security and defence and enhance EU-NATO cooperation.
Nearly 300 events are expected to take place during the Bulgarian EU Presidency which will take place mainly in Sofia, but also in other cities like Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv.
Bulgaria will host one Summit of the heads of states and governments of the EU with the countries of the Western Balkans. (end) nk.tg