site.btaPresident Iotova Discusses European Issues, Human Rights and Security with Council of Europe, EU Officials

Visiting Strasbourg on Wednesday, Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova held meetings with senior officials of the Council of Europe and the European Union, discussing the reform of the Council of Europe, human rights, the EU's future budget, security, migration and European connectivity.

Iotova held meetings with Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, European Court of Human Rights President Mattias Guyomar, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and Strasbourg Mayor Catherine Trautmann.

At her meeting with Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, Iotova discussed the reform of the Council of Europe, the OMO (United Macedonian Organization) Ilinden group of cases against Bulgaria and the case of Iva Mihaylova.

On the reform of the Council of Europe, Iotova said its political role, established in the more peaceful years after World War II, should be strengthened. She said that the organization should focus on achieving peace and protecting human rights and become a platform for peace and that Bulgaria would present its position on the planned reforms. Berset, for his part, said Bulgaria was a very important member of the Council of Europe.

The meeting, also attended by Justice Minister Nikolay Naydenov, focused on the conclusion of the monitoring of the implementation of measures under the 2006 OMO Ilinden group of cases against Bulgaria. Berset said Bulgaria was making progress in implementing measures guaranteeing the right of association and expressed hope that the monitoring would be lifted in March next year. Gianluca Esposito, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law at the Council of Europe, also attended the meeting.

Iotova briefed Berset on the case of Iva Mihaylova, a young woman who is a citizen of North Macedonia and Bulgaria and has been denied access to treatment in Bulgaria because she is facing legal proceedings in Kocani. Iotova said the case represented a violation of human rights and that Bulgaria could not and did not wish to interfere in the administration of justice in North Macedonia, but insisted that Mihaylova be given access to the treatment she needs. Berset said the Council of Europe does not examine individual cases but would look into the matter with interest as it could form part of the broader picture concerning human rights protection.

At her meeting with European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) President Mattias Guyomar, Iotova highlighted the growing role of the Council of Europe and the ECHR in addressing challenges to the protection of human rights. She stressed the need to return the discussion to the value and protection of human rights and ensure that institutions safeguard the rights established over the past 70 years. The two also underscored the need for the ECHR to remain independent of political influence. It was noted that the number of applications lodged with the Court by applicants from Bulgaria has been steadily declining. Justice Minister Nikolay Naydenov and Bulgarian judge at the ECHR Diana Kovatcheva also took part in the meeting.

At the European Parliament, Iotova and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola discussed current EU issues, with the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034 among the main topics. Iotova raised concerns about the planned new approach to allocating EU funds, saying it could disadvantage less developed Member States.

They also discussed strengthening the EU's collective security amid the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, with Iotova highlighting the strategic importance of the Black Sea for the security of Europe as a whole.

Migration policy was another topic, including the protection of the EU's external borders and the return of migrants to their countries of origin. Iotova stressed that Bulgaria, as an EU external border country, was playing an active role in protecting the Union. She highlighted the need for greater coordination between the European Parliament and national parliaments.

Speaking to journalists at the European Parliament, Iotova said the most significant point for her in European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union address was the idea of establishing a new European Security Council involving Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway and Ukraine. "I am hearing of such a model for the first time," she said.

Iotova said she had also exchanged a few words with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who assured her that the project still needed to be developed in detail, she said, adding that if it was linked to European security autonomy, she would welcome it.

At her meeting with Strasbourg Mayor Catherine Trautmann, Iotova discussed the need to strengthen unity within the EU amid security challenges arising from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. She highlighted the strategic importance of the Black Sea for the security of Southeast Europe and the continent as a whole, as well as its importance for Bulgaria's tourism and economy.

Iotova identified connectivity as a key element of security and underlined Bulgaria's role in this part of Europe. She briefed Trautmann on energy and transport projects being developed by Bulgaria.