MEP Kyuchyuk: There Are No Small or Big Countries in Debate on Europe’s Future

The role of interinstitutional negotiations was highlighted by MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Renew Europe) in an interview with BTA on Monday as crucial to the adoption of European Union (EU) legislation.

These negotiations take place in the form of trilateral meetings ("trilogues") between the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission.

As Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs, the first Bulgarian MEP to head the committee, Kyuchyuk represents Parliament and chairs these so-called trilogues.

"These powers were granted to the European Parliament a little over two years ago, with the idea that Parliament should carry greater weight in discussions between the institutions. Now all three sides present their positions. Sometimes this is a long and exhausting process, with different viewpoints heard and many interruptions," Kyuchyuk told BTA in an interview, part of BTA's podcast presenting how EU legislation is adopted.

BTA is seeking comments from all Bulgarian MEPs on these topics.

According to Kyuchyuk, Parliament follows its own strategy with "red lines": where it can compromise and where it can negotiate. At times, the negotiator - usually the committee chair or rapporteur - must hold formal or informal consultations with shadow rapporteurs from other political groups to ensure that the proposed legislation has sufficient backing. Once agreement is reached in the trilogue format, they must return to Parliament and inform MEPs that a deal has been struck.

"It would be very bad if Parliament did not support them - bad for the position of the European Parliament and a poor assessment of the negotiator, because they would not be able to guarantee their own authority and that of the institution before the other bodies," Kyuchyuk explained. He stressed that this concerns the seriousness of the institution rather than the approach of any individual.

Now in his third term in the European Parliament, Kyuchyuk agrees that diplomatic skills are essential for trilogue work. "It is impossible for a Parliament with so many divisions – national, political, demographic, geographical - to function if one does not have diplomatic sensitivity to what is happening," he said.

Referring to trilogues, Kyuchyuk gave the example of the Mobility Package, when Bulgarian MEPs, despite belonging to different political families, shared a common position. "At that time, the Bulgarian delegation was absolutely unanimous. We voted the same way and acted the same way," he noted.

"There are no small or big countries in the debate about the future of Europe. There are countries that come with ideas, preparation and a clear vision of where they want to see themselves," Kyuchyuk said, drawing on his experience with EU institutions. "No position is forged in Brussels. All positions are shaped by the national states. Whether we defend that interest, how we defend it, who defends it and in whose name – that is a Bulgarian national question. It is not a Brussels question, not a bureaucrats’ question, but one for us, the politicians, and the people who have entrusted us with that responsibility," he added.

Other topics discussed with Ilhan Kyuchyuk in the "EU Lex BG" podcast include:

How does the Committee on Legal Affairs work, and why is it called the Parliament’s "legal adviser" and "guardian" of its rules?
We often say "Brussels said/decided", but in fact EU Member States – including Bulgaria – have a say. How does this happen in Parliament and in trilogues?
His view on the idea of a "two-speed Europe".
The key challenges facing the EU.
The future of the EU.

/RD/