Representatives of European and Bulgarian institutions, the business community, labor unions, the academic community, and civil society organizations discussed the need for a concrete and financially sound European strategy for the Black Sea region. The discussion focused on security, energy and transport connectivity, economic resilience, and the need for stronger European support for countries affected by the consequences of the war in the region.
The conference “From Constanta to Varna: Promoting and Paving the Way for the Practical Implementation of the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee and the Resolution of the Bulgarian Economic and Social Council on the European Union’s Strategic Approach to the Black Sea Region” was organized in Varna by the ESC and the EESC.
The event is part of a joint initiative linking Constanta and Varna in support of a more active European engagement with the Black Sea region. Among the participants were ESC President Zornitsa Rusinova, Council Vice Presidents Plamen Dimitrov and Bogomil Nikolov, ESC “Employers” Group member Milena Angelova, as well as representatives of the EESC and Bulgarian institutions.
Milena Angelova, rapporteur for the European Economic and Social Committee on the EU’s strategic approach to the Black Sea, emphasized that the forum in Varna is a continuation of the dialogue that began in Constanța and serves as a bridge of sorts between the two key Black Sea cities.
The document from the European advisory body and the ESC resolution emphasize the need for coordinated policies, targeted funding, and greater involvement of organized civil society in the decision-making process.
Plamen Dimitrov, Vice Chair of the Council’s “Trade Unions” Group, emphasized the need for the European Commission to recognize the Black Sea as an area directly affected by military operations in order to ensure adequate funding mechanisms. He also highlighted the energy consequences of the war, noting that Bulgaria is bearing a heavy burden due to the increased interconnection of energy systems and electricity exports to Ukraine, which is affecting prices and the stability of the energy market in the region.
According to Bogomil Nikolov, forums on this topic play a key role in ensuring that these issues are addressed in a timely manner at the European level. He emphasized that cross-system interconnectivity in the energy sector has placed an additional burden on countries in the region and that this solidarity should be taken into account more fairly by Brussels. The Vice Chair of the “Civil Society Organizations” group stressed the need for European solidarity to translate into real energy and infrastructure connectivity and a better-functioning common European market.
ESC President Zornitsa Rusinova emphasized the strategic importance of the Black Sea region for the EU in terms of security, connectivity, and economic development.
“The development of the Black Sea region requires coordinated efforts, sustainable policies, and a strong partnership among all stakeholders. Without targeted and sufficient resources, the region’s strategic priorities risk remaining merely a political vision,” she said.
Rusinova also highlighted several key points from another important document issued by the advisory body – The ESC resolution on the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034, which calls for the Black Sea to be recognized as an external border of the EU with heightened geopolitical significance. The ESC expresses concern that Bulgaria and the other countries in the region continue to bear serious economic and social consequences of the war without sufficient targeted support.
Failure to recognize the Black Sea as a border in a military conflict undermines Bulgaria’s efforts to support Ukraine, as well as its additional expenses and lost benefits resulting from the war, which has now been ongoing for three years.
Setting a 105% cap on national allocations significantly reduces the share of the MFF budget that Bulgaria would be entitled to receive based on purely economic and social indicators, and thus acts as a factor that exacerbates the disparities and divisions among member states.
Given the gravity of the situation in the Black Sea region, The ESC urges the European Commission to remove the allocation cap in the General Key for Member States with external borders (by land and/or sea) and to include the Black Sea in the definition of external borders in the Home Affairs Key, following the good example set with regard to the Common Agricultural Policy.
The N+1 rule for implementing key stages of the MFF at the national level poses a risk that key actions will not be carried out during periods of crisis (including external crises, but also political ones) and threatens Member States with unnecessary financial penalties.
“The strategic approach could translate into concrete action between the two sides, and this discussion could mark the beginning of a longer journey together, while the organizations can take the necessary steps to expand these partnerships,” the ESC chair added.
Conference participants agreed on the need for a stronger European commitment to the Black Sea region through investments in transportation, energy, and digital connectivity; support for business and employment; the development of port infrastructure; sustainable tourism, fisheries, and environmental protection.
