Students of Speciality International Economic Relations Visited the European Parliament

At the invitation of Dr. Andrey Kovachev, Member of European Parliament, lecturers and students from the International Economic Relations and Business Department, led by Assist. Dr. Stoyan Neychev, went to educational visit to the European Parliament in Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium /March 16–18, 2026/. The initiative was part of the Department’s efforts to expand students’ practical knowledge and to strengthen the relation between the academic education and the real decision-making processes in the European Union.

During their visit the participants had the opportunity to gain a firsthand understanding of the structure and functioning of the European Parliament, its role within the EU’s institutional framework, and the key mechanisms for shaping policies and legislative decisions. The main stages of the legislative process were presented along with the interaction between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of the EU as well as the current challenges facing the institution in the context of the dynamic international and economic environment.

The discussion on internship opportunities and professional development for UNWE students within the European institutions generated particular interest. Specific programmes and initiatives were examined that provide for the young people the chance to obtain practical experience and actively participate in the work of the European Parliament.

As part of the programme the group also visited the Parlamentarium — the European Parliament’s interactive visitors center providing a modern, multimedia perspective on the history of European integration, the role of the institutions, and the importance of civic participation in decision-making processes, which contributed to an even deeper understanding of the European policies and their impact on the member states.

The visit to Brussels was a valuable opportunity for the students to bridge the gap between the theoretical knowledge and the real-world practice, to familiarize themselves with the work of one of the European Union’s most important institutions and to broaden their professional and academic perspectives in an international context.