XXII International Scientific Conference on Bulgaria's EU Membership: 16 Years Later Had the Largest Number of Participants

The  International Economic Relations and Business Department held the XXII International Scientific Conference on Bulgaria's EU Membership: 16 Years Later with the largest number of participants compared to the previous editions. The Conference was held under the auspices of the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Bakalova, Dean of the International Economics and Politics Faculty, Mr. Hristo Stoyanov, representative of the European Investment Fund for Bulgaria, Mr. Ognyan Zlatev, advisor at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment and Social Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Boneva, Secretary General for Research Projects, the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vasil Petkov, Head of the International Economic Relations and Business Department, Chief Assist. Dr. Panayotis Kontakos, Deputy Head of the School of Business and Management, Director of the MBA Programme, University of Central Lancashire, Cyprus and Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Tatiana Hubenova-Delisivkova, President of the Union of Economists in Bulgaria /from the left to the right/

"Our conference related to European integration, European economy and Bulgaria's place in the European Union, in the integration process and in the international economy has this year the largest number of participants from over 15 countries. It is a reason to be proud”, said the Head of the International Economic Relations and Business Department Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vasil Petkov. He noted that all Conference papers are indexed in CEOOL and efforts are also being made to index them in Web of Science. Assoc. Prof. Vasil Petkov greeted all the scientists and young researchers from domestic and foreign universities with "Welcome to our University" and expressed thankfulness to his colleagues from the International Economic Relations and Business Department for their efforts in organizing the Conference at such a large scale.

The European Union faces great challenges today and we will discuss them at this Conference," emphasised Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Boneva, Secretary General for Research Projects. She added that "behind the success of any research team is enthusiasm, teamwork, perseverance and building a network of contacts that the team could turn to for advice, opinion or inspiration when needed".

"In the dynamic times we live in, a discussion about the EU is needed more than ever, and the right place for it is our university, and the International Economic Relations and Business Department which has a large number of students and programmes taught in English, is the right catalyst for holding such a discussion", emphasized the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov at the opening of the event. "The topic of the Conference is very actual because the integration process in Europe continues, regardless of the plans, projects and processes that take place in individual countries and between them and Bulgaria is also part of these processes, so we should not only participate in these processes, but also benefit from them." The Rector greeted the organizers of the event pointing out that it is one of the traditional conferences as the preparation of each edition begins immediately after the previous one ends that`s why the format of the event is with a large number of scientists, including young researchers.

"It is a privilege for me to participate in the opening of this Conference, although I am here in my capacity as Dean of the International Economics and Politics Faculty", welcomed the guests and participants Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Bakalova. "It is the 22^nd consecutive Conference and some of our students are younger than it. It is basically the defining feature of the Conference. The longevity of such an event eloquently shows that it is alive and that its theme is relevant and inexhaustible. The institutionalization of the discussion is also very encouraging". Prof. Bakalova emphasized that the International Economic Relations and Business Department is one of the oldest and the most established departments of our University and its representatives are the drivers of the study of European integration, so it is natural that the event is organized by this Department. "I congratulate the colleagues who, over the years, have continued their efforts to make the Conference an institution through which young colleagues enter the academic life. As the Rector pointed out, we live in turbulent times and a discussion about the EU is necessary more than ever because we are at a crossroad and the issues of integration, economic, political and social development are crucial to be discussed in order to find solutions to the problems. I am glad that the format of the Conference grows every year," said also Assoc. Maria Bakalova.

"Bulgaria has achieved a lot for these 16 years since the Conference was held. If we compare Bulgaria before its accession to the EU with Bulgaria today, the achievements are obvious", said Mr. Ognian Zlatev, advisor in the European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment and Social Affairs, former Head of the EC Representation in Bulgaria and Head of the EC Representation in Croatia. "I keep saying that Bulgaria's accession to the EU is probably one of the best state decisions for the country's development in our modern history. One of the challenges we face is that there are still people in the public sphere who make the distinction between 'us' and 'them' when it comes to the EU, i.e. 'us' in Bulgaria and 'them' in Brussels. I think that over the last 16 years with the joint efforts of the academic community, the media and politicians it has gradually changed". He added that it is our duty as citizens, educators and parents to talk to the younger generation and make them understand that we are part of the decision-making process. "The other challenge facing the EU is the lack of skilled work force after the crises we have faced in recent years caused by Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine. That is why the EC intends to invest in the future in programmes to improve the skills and capabilities of the work force taking into account the appearance of new professions and the intensive digitalization of modern life which require appropriate training of the working population", said Ognian Zlatev.

Mr. Hristo Stoyanov, representative of the European Investment Fund in Bulgaria, presented the activities, goals and objectives of the Fund to the participants in the Conference reviewing in details the establishment and development of the organization in our country and highlighting Bulgaria's achievements in its development as an EU Member State over the past 16 years.

Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Tatiana Hubenova-Delisivkova, President of the Union of Economists in Bulgaria, on behalf of the organization entrusted to her, pointed out that the Union has been successfully cooperating with the UNWE for many years. In her speech she pointed out that the research of prominent scientists in the field of international economic relations should be promoted in order to raise the level of communication of Bulgaria with the EU about what is happening in our country. "Bulgaria has achieved a lot in the last 16 years as a member of the EU but we need to be more confident, more informed and to explore the problems in Bulgaria, to discuss them and to attract more young scientists to participate in these discussions in order to find the right solutions", said Prof. Tatiana Delisivkova.

Prof. Dr. Bistra Boeva, Professor Emeritus at UNWE, longstanding Head of the International Economic Relations and Business Department, spoke about the wide range of topics of the Conference and the opportunity it provides for young scientists and researchers to share their ideas and views on the future development of Bulgaria and Europe. She emphasized that the academic community is engaged in a wide range of research on the processes in the European Union and should be more involved in the decision-making process, their voice should be heard more by the institutions in Europe.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Blaga Blagoeva, Head of the Political Science Department, Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Bistra Boeva, Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Virzhinia Zhelyazkova, VUZF, Prof. Dr. Ingrid Shikova, European Studies Department, St. Climent Ohridsky University of Sofia /from the left to the right/

Moderators were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vasil Petkov, Head of the International Economic Relations and Business Department and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Boneva, Secretary General for Research Projects.

Greetings to the Conference and the International Economic Relations and Business Department were expressed by Prof. Dr. Ingrid Shikova, European Studies Department, St. Climent Ohridsky University of Sofia, Prof. Dr. Iskra Hristova-Balkanska, Institute of Economic Studies at Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Mr. Ilian Chabukliysky, Chairman of the Student Council, Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Karim Naama, Head of the Economic Theory and International Economic Relations Department, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo and Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Milcho Stoimenov, longstanding lecturer at the Department.

Video greetings to the Conference and the International Economic Relations and Business Department were addressed by Prof. Dr Milen Baltov, Rector of Burgas Free University /BFU/ and Director of the Joint Bachelor's Degree Programme in International Economic Relations between the UNWE and BFU implemented within the framework of the project Economic Education in Bulgaria 2030 and Prof. Dr. Vesselina Dimitrova, Head of the International Economic Relations Department at the Varna University of Economics as well as by the lecturers of the Department.

The Conference was attended by the Vice Rector for Digitalization and Cybersecurity Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosen Kirilov, lecturers, students.

Within the frameworks of the Scientific Conference it was held the traditional event accompanying it - the annual competition for student paper on Bulgaria's EU Membership: 16 Years Later organized by the International Economic Relations and Business Department jointly with the Student Council at UNWE.

Prof. Dr. Iskra Hristova-Balkanska, Institute of Economic Studies at BAS, Ilian Chabukliysky, Chairman of the Student Council, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Monika Moraliyska, Deputy Head of the International Economic Relations and Business Department and Prof. Dr. Karim Naama, Head of the Economic Theory and International Economic Relations Department, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo /from the left to the right/

Before the Conference the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov in the presence of the Head of the International Economic Relations and Business Department Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vasil Petkov, the Secretary general for Research Projects Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Boneva and the Director of the Rector's Office Mrs. Gergana Kirilova met with two of the key speakers of the Conference - Mr. Ognyan Zlatev, advisor at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment and Social Affairs and Mr. Hristo Stoyanov, representative of the European Investment Fund for Bulgaria.The level of students' awareness of the EU and the opportunities for them to receive information relevant to them were discussed.