20th anniversary of the EU Club at BCCI

The 20th anniversary of the EU Club at BCCI was officially celebrated on 24 January in Sofia Hotel Balkan. The event was opened by the Vice-President of the Republic of Bulgaria Mrs. Iliyana Yotova and the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy Zornitsa Rusinova. Bulgaria’s European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel and the ambassadors of Romania, Croatia and Finland also took part in the discussion on current European topics.

The EU Club at BCCI was established in 2000 at the initiative of the Euro Info Center at BCCI, which at present functions as part of the global business support network Enterprise Europe Network.

The President of BCCI Tsvetan Simeonov said that the efforts of the Chamber have not gone unnoticed - both of its employees and its management, who are working so hard to preserve Bulgaria’s European future. Due to its active role and initiative, BCCI was accepted as a full member of the Association of the European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES) even before Bulgaria’s official EU accession. Simeonov added that the EU Club constantly receives recognition from the state and European institutions, the ambassadors of the EU member states, and those who are positive about their European future.

In her welcoming speech, the Vice-President of the Republic of Bulgaria Iliyana Yotova pointed out the long history of the EU Club and thanked BCCI for its efforts to develop the Bulgarian business and the export potential of companies.

Mariya Gabriel also congratulated the EU Club on its 20th anniversary and wished its founders and members to keep their ideas and motivations, as well as their vision for promoting the growth of Bulgarian business. European Commissioner Gabriel shared with the participants the prospects and opportunities for small and medium-sized companies, start-ups, the business sector, but also the challenges ahead.

The meeting of the EU Club continued with a discussion on the future of the European Union, the “think small first” principle, what small and medium-sized enterprises can expect, as well as what are the key factors for a successful presidency of the Council of the EU. The ambassadors of Romania, Finland and Croatia also took part in the discussion. The Ambassador of Croatia to Bulgaria H.E. Jasna Ognjanovac said that the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU will continue to work on key topics for the EU, including promoting the competitiveness of European business, creating better job and education opportunities, and strengthening the European Pillar of Social Rights.