Diplomatic Institute Head Mihaylova: Bulgaria's NATO, EU Membership Are Not Different Processes but One Big Process

Dimitrina Solakova, Nikolay Trifonov

Tanya Mihaylova, Director of the Diplomatic Institute under the Minister of Foreign Affairs, speaking at Friday's discussion on NATO and Bulgaria, Sofia, April 25, 2025 (BTA Photo/Nikola Uzunov)

Sofia,

25.04.2025 12:36

(BTA)

Bulgaria's membership in NATO and the EU are not different processes, but one big process, said Tanya Mihaylova, Director of the Diplomatic Institute under the Minister of Foreign Affairs, adding that this was a civilisational choice for Bulgaria. She was speaking at a discussion on "The Hague 2025: The Horizon for NATO and the Bulgarian Vision", held here on Friday to present the publication "Living Archives. National Archive of Memories of Bulgaria's NATO Accession Process."

Talking about the publication, Mihaylova said that "the puzzle in time must be continuously ordered, and the authentic traces of the processes in which we participated must remain."

The publication has been made within the framework of the National Programme of Initiatives to mark the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria's accession to NATO in 2024. Featured are the personal memoirs of key figures who made a significant contribution and actively participated in the process of Bulgaria's accession to the Alliance.

"Where Bulgaria is, what our vision is, how we are positioned in NATO is of great importance," Mihaylova said further.

In a post on X earlier on Friday, the Foreign Ministry said: "Today, we celebrate a choice and belonging - for peace, prosperity and shared values." The post also reads that 20 years ago, Bulgaria took a historic step by signing the EU Accession Treaty.

/RY/