The BTA conference "Europe in the Balkans: A common future" is held on Monday for the second time in a cross-border format. It opened in the Turkish city of Edirne, with participants in the southern Bulgarian city of Haskova joined online by the BTA National Press Club.

The Consul General of Bulgaria in Edirne, Borislav Dimitrov, opened the event.

Participants in Turkey include Ceyda Pekozer, Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Program Project Manager Bulgaria-Turkey, Esra Konaklilar from ETTDER (Edirne Tourism and Promotion Association) and Assoc. Prof. Emre Atilgan from Trakya University.

In Haskovo, the participants include, among others, Zhelyazko Kolev, Chief Expert in Regional Administration and Krasimir Stankov, Project Management Expert for the Interreg - IPA CBC Program Bulgaria – Turkey 2021-2027.

The project "Europe in the Balkans: A common future" is implemented by BTA with the support of the European Commission. It builds on a previous project, "Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future" and aims to foster a better understanding of the role of cohesion policy in the Balkans; to raise awareness of projects financed by the EU through Cohesion Funds; promoting dialogue on the results of projects at the local level and increasing citizen participation in issues related to cohesion policy.

The series of conferences began in Sofia on December 20, 2023. The first cross-border conference was held on January 16-17 in the Bulgarian city of Ruse and Bucharest.

Conferences have so far been held in Razgrad, Veliko Tarnovo, Silistra, Gabrovo, Burgas, Sliven and Yambol. Until August, BTA will hold discussions in its press clubs across Bulgaria and organize cross-border conferences in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Skopje and Thessaloniki.

The project "Europe in the Balkans: A common future" is financed with 348.871 euros. To achieve the project's goals, BTA is using a media mix and expects to reach between 700.000 and 1 million people in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece and Turkey.

Consul General of Bulgaria in Edirne, Borislav Dimitrov: Bulgaria and Turkey are friendly and allied countries of NATO. Our relations are based on good neighborliness, respect and common interests. Our partnership is about security, defense, trade, economy, energy, modern technologies, culture and tourism. Cooperation in the fight against cross-border crime, illegal migration and terrorism is at a very good level.

Bulgaria expects the very good dialogue to continue and there is great potential for the development of relations in all areas, including innovation. Working on joint projects in transport and agriculture would contribute to finding technological solutions to overcome modern challenges. INTERREG is an excellent opportunity to promote bilateral dialogue.