Philosophers and dreamers have been discussing the European idea for centuries. Sixty four years ago the citizens of France and Germany united, in order to manage together their destiny and future. The European Presidents and Premiers decided at the summit in Milan back in 1985 to declare May 9 Europe Day.

Bulgaria has been a full member of the EU for seven years now. In order to fully answer the question what is the cost of the country’s membership in the EU, we need to ask ourselves for what we expected from the European Union and did we get what we were looking for? During the whole process of accession to the EU - from the application phase, through the negotiations, all the way to the actual admission to the Union, people in Bulgaria were claiming that the country is joining the “right” family and opposing the totalitarian regime.

“I think that Bulgaria is still quite cautious in its EU membership”, said Professor Ingrid Shikova who lectures EU Policies at the Saint Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia. “I would also say that we are even shy and bashful. The fruit we harvest from our EU membership is not of the sweetest and this is perhaps due to the economic and financial crisis which loomed in Europe in the beginning of our membership. It is very important that we received a “chair and a microphone” with our EU membership. We can not realize that and usually put the European funds and the opportunity to travel freely as our top advantages. However, we can voice our opinion through the “chair and the microphone” and defend our national interests, which is of great importance for each full member of the EU."

What is the conclusion of the country’s membership? Lubov Panayotova who is the Director of the European Institute in Sofia tries to find an answer to this question. “Unfortunately, most people say that they do not live well since Bulgaria joined the EU. Due to the increasing populism and nationalism in Europe, Bulgaria has been a subject to criticism regarding issues such as labor market, ethnic minorities or the free movement in the EU which is one of the fundamental values of the Union. Perhaps, we are also to be blamed for that, because we failed to take full advantage of our European dream. I hope that despite all difficulties, the young generation which already felt the benefits of the Erasmus programmes and the opportunities to travel freely, will fulfill this dream. Bulgaria is a country with a very strategic location. We are a bridge between Europe and our biggest neighbor Turkey which is a huge Muslim country and is still attempting to enter the EU. As a whole, Bulgaria has many advantages, but unfortunately it fails to make the best of them."

“Bulgaria continues to behave as a country which is still negotiating with the EU for its accession”, contends political expert Vladimir Shopov. “Our biggest achievement over the past seven years is linked with the ability to acquire the necessary administrative techniques during the harmonization of the national legislation with the European law. However, we have not learnt to analyze European policies, in order to make adequate decisions regarding Bulgaria’s participation in these policies. We failed to change our attitude about issues regarding corruption and organized crime. I think that we also failed to meet given expectations of other European countries towards us such as to take responsibility in the region of South East Europe, the Balkans and the Black Sea Region. Europe was expecting that Bulgaria and Romania would manage to play a more active role in the processes in these regions.”

“Europe can not be established at once or though a single plan only. It will be built through certain achievements such as solidarity”, said on May 9, 1950 in Quai d’Orsay hall the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, who announced his plan for the establishment of a European Coal and Steel Community between France and Germany. The first lines of the declaration of May 9, 1950 predetermined its main purpose: The global peace can not be preserved without efforts corresponding to the threats posed over the world.

“With regard to the current state of the EU, I can say that it is in a very difficult situation”, says Professor Ingrid Shikova. “We ask ourselves whether the EU possess the necessary means to preserve its values and protect its economy from decay. Can we protect the world from terrorism and wars? We thought that war was far from our continent, but recent years proved the opposite. We should recall what happened in former Yugoslavia years ago and see what is happening in Ukraine at present. All these events took place and are still going on in the European continent. That is why Europe must overcome the differences and the disputes over certain issues. The real life brings various challenges and we must have a strong motivation to form a political alliance. Otherwise, we can not make progress”, concludes Professor Shikova.

English version: Kostadin Atanasov