"The topic does not change. It is how to make the European economy efficient and competitive, precisely because of the challenges that lie ahead of us with the new administration in the US - how to be faster, more flexible, with less bureaucracy, less administration, to support small and medium-sized businesses, innovation, artificial intelligence. The biggest question is how - with what national and European-level legislative acts. With this package of legislative acts - with one act you can simplify a multitude, some 20-30 regulations, to reduce the reporting that the industry is obliged to do, which takes an extremely long time, and diminishes the competitiveness of the EU," Kovatchev explained in an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio in the special studio of the Horizon channel from the European Parliament building in Strasbourg.

Ursula von der Leyen promised to reduce the administrative burden, reminded Kovatchev and pointed out:

"We have a lot to catch up on. We are not in an enviable position at all. We need to work on two levels - both at the European level with the simplification of all these procedures, with the reduction of reporting, which is mandatory, but also in each member state - this same legislation to reduce administration and bureaucracy must be adopted by the national parliaments, in parallel with the adoption at the European level. If the two do not go in parallel, we will not be able to improve the investment climate. For us, it is very important that the investment climate in Bulgaria is drastically improved with a clear and stable perspective".

For MEP Ivaylo Valchev from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, the leading theme is the same:

"Europe is trying to repair the damage it has caused itself. There is no debate in the EP that is not related to Europe restoring its competitiveness. It turns out that, paying attention to new technologies, green technologies, to everyone having a huge number of higher education degrees, Europe has found itself left without turners, welders, without people to repair your toilet, which artificial intelligence obviously will not unclog when necessary," commented Valchev.

"There should be no regulations that prevent everyone from expressing their opinion. But there should be such a regulation that will ensure that everyone can express themselves, but this information can and should be verified."

According to Andrey Kovatchev, intensive talks are currently underway to avoid a trade war with the USA. It is in the interest of both countries - both the USA and the EU - to have good relations, he is categorical.

Ivaylo Valchev believes Europe should not try to save itself individually: "It will not be for the good of the Union if each country starts looking for its own salvation, without looking at what is happening around it. The important thing is to rethink the current European policies - so that Europe does not commit economic suicide, and whatever it does, it does it together".

You can hear Irina Nedeva's full interview (in Bulgarian) with MEPs Andrey Kovatchev and Ivaylo Valchev HERE.

Photos: Irina Nedeva, Rositsa Petkova