Representatives of the UNWE Met with Parents of Pupils from Tsaribrod

Representatives from the UNWE - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgy Nikolov, Head of the Regional Development Department and Coordinator of the Agreement with the Municipalities of Tsaribrod and Pirot, Chief Assist. Dr. Nikola Tanakov and Doctoral student Kristian Gerchev from the same Department - met with representatives of the local authorities and parents of the pupils from Hristo Botev Primary School in Tsaribrod, Serbia.

Chief Assist. Dr. Nikola Tanakov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgy Nikolov and Kristian Gerchev /from the right to the left/

The meeting was also attended by H. E. Petko Doykov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Serbia, Nedyalko Iliev, First Secretary at the Embassy, Prof. Dr. Lozan Mitev from the National Academy of Economics, Deyan Milev, Deputy Mayor, Zoran Dzhurov, Chairman of the Municipal Council of the City of Maribor and other representatives of the Municipality. The meeting was aimed at explaining the positive aspects of educating pupils entirely in Bulgarian under the educational system of the Republic of Serbia.

Milena Stavrov, Director of Hristo Botev Primary School, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgy Nikolov, Prof. Dr. Lozan Mitev and H. E. Petko Doykov

Н. E. Petko Doykov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Serbia, pointed out that studying the Bulgarian language in a more intensive and larger volume will make the pupils more competitive, will increase the opportunity to apply to the 52 Bulgarian universities and graduating from a Bulgarian university they will receive a diploma that is convertible and recognized in the EU which provides for them more opportunities. "You have the task of deciding for your children who can learn another language and to give them additional opportunities."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgy Nikolov pointed out that "many territories in Bulgaria and the border regions are depopulated and the reasons are various, such as the lack of schools, pharmacy or health stationery. Meanwhile, no one can limit the right of everyone to strive for a better life, a better environment and workplace, as well as social benefits, and that is why it is good for pupils to have opportunities, and a language always opens additional doors". He outlined that it is also important for the local government to create a favorable business environment and to take care of raising the standard of living of the people and the municipality of Tsaribrod is an example. He reminded that "Europe and our region are facing a negative demographic situation with an ageing population. That is why we have to take care of our children, especially in the border regions. In today's world, for them to be successful, they need to have competencies, to know languages, to know the issues, so give your children more opportunities". Assoc Prof. Nikolov added that "every business strives to provide its structure with staff who have competences, knowledge and skills, at the same time, according to a study, a person changes his job two and a half times during his life, which shows that children must be prepared with the necessary training and expertise to be adaptable to pursue their dreams, and the language is one prerequisite for this to happen".

Prof. Dr. Lozan Mitev from the National Academy of Economics whose family is from the region, emphasized: "The language is power. We come with a pure heart and an open message and when you make a choice you have to consider what is better for children to live fully and confidently. Bulgaria has economic and university potential and they can continue their education for free. Let us think responsibly and let your children integrate without turmoil."

Before the meeting with the parents, the UNWE representatives met with the administration of the Municipality of Tsaribrod and discussed the achievements and problems faced by the Bulgarian community and the local government.

With Deputy Mayor Deyan Mitev	With the Chairman of the Town Council Zoran Dzhurov

It is the consecutive meeting of representatives of UNWE with the Bulgarians in the municipalities of Pirot and Tsaribrod.