site.btaDeputy Foreign Minister Elena Shekerletova Represents Bulgaria at EU General Affairs Council Meeting in Brussels

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Elena Shekerletova represented Bulgaria at the regular meeting of the European Union’s General Affairs Council in Brussels, her ministry said.

The ministers discussed key EU agenda items, including the draft Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the post-2027 period, the legislation simplification program, and the regulation on language use within the EU.

The European Commission presented its proposal for the new framework for 2028–2034, featuring a total budget of EUR 2 trillion (1.26% of the EU’s GDP), plus an additional 0.11% allocated for debt servicing under the Next Generation EU instrument. The budget is structured around four main pillars:

1. European Social Model and Quality of Life

2. Competitiveness, Prosperity, and Security

3. Global Europe

4. Administrative Expenditures

At the same time, the number of programs will be reduced from 52 to 16.

In her statement, Deputy Minister Shekerletova emphasized that Bulgaria seeks a balanced approach combining the preservation of cohesion policy, agriculture, migration management, and border controls with the need to address new priorities such as competitiveness and defence. Special attention was given to funding for less-developed regions, support for farmers’ incomes, and fisheries sectors. Bulgaria welcomed the planned tripling of investments in migration and border management. Discussions on these issues will continue in upcoming Council meetings.

During the session, the Danish Presidency presented progress on the simplification program. By July 2025, the European Commission had proposed six Omnibus packages aimed at reducing administrative and regulatory burdens, covering sectors such as sustainable development, agriculture, defence, and chemicals.

The Council unanimously approved the 18th sanctions package against the Russian Federation. The new measures target sectors including energy, banking, and trade, aiming to increase economic pressure in response to Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, the announcement added.