site.btaVice President: Major Success for Bulgaria Was Achieved in Strasbourg

"A major success for Bulgaria was achieved in Strasbourg. I thank the Bulgarian MEPs who worked hard to remove the references that initially appeared in the resolution on the progress of the Republic of North Macedonia," Vice President Iliana Iotova to journalists in Sopot on Wednesday, referring to the European Parliament’s annual report on North Macedonia’s progress toward EU accession and the deletion of references to language and identity from the document.

According to Yotova, this is one of the cases that shows when Bulgarian political parties act in unity for the national interest and are supported by Bulgarian institutions at all levels, the result is a success for Bulgaria. She added that the letter from President Rumen Radev to the heads of European institutions and EU member states also contributed to the decision. From here on, Bulgaria should defend the rights of its compatriots there with even more confidence and determination, the Vice President said.

Asked about Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro, Iotova said she still believed that the most important thing was not done, namely gaining the consent of Bulgarian citizens and moving forward with their voice. According to her, a referendum was necessary, and if it had been held when Vazrazhdane proposed it in Parliament, many citizens would have been convinced and many fears would have disappeared.

Asked to comment on the review of the BOTAS contract and the arrest of Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, Iliana Iotova expressed hope for an objective and impartial investigation, both regarding energy sector issues and the mayors involved.