The Republic of Bulgaria

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Communication Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria for the European Union (2007-2009)

Bulgaria has been a full member of the European Union since 1 January 2007.

The present document “Communication Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria for the European Union 2007-2009” contains the objectives and the priorities of the communication activities for the first three years of the country’s membership in the EU.

The agenda of the Bulgarian EU membership: The majority of citizens express approval for the membership although the support for the political integration in the EU in the first years of membership continues to be rather emotional than rational. The feeling of uncertainty and fear of a large portion of Bulgarian citizens is not entirely overcome yet. The greatest difficulties the Bulgarian small and medium-sized enterprises face are the competition of the European companies, the rise of costs for labour and for environment protection, for improving work conditions and for additional qualification of employees. The preparedness of the country to avail itself of the funds allocated by the European Union is also perceived as a challenge. The agenda of Bulgaria’s efforts in this respect determines the main objectives and the focus of the work on Euro-communication:

(i)    The integration of the Bulgarian economy into the single market of the European Union is underway;

(ii)    Effective measures have been taken in the areas of home affairs and justice; fight against corruption, money laundering, human and drugs trafficking and the other forms of organised crime;

(iii)    The country participates actively in formulating policies in Brussels;

(iv)    Bulgaria has the ambition to continue and consolidate its role of a stabilising factor on the Balkans and a secure outside border of the European Union;

(v)    The country builds its administrative capacity to manage and control the Structural Funds and the other instruments for implementation of the European Union policies. Principles of the strategy: Taking into consideration the accumulated experience in Bulgaria and the analysis of the good practices in the EU member states and the initiatives of the EC in Brussels, ensuing from Plan D and the White Book, the Communication Strategy for the period 2007-2009 is based on the following main principles:

•    Stimulate dialogue and discussions – create conditions for having a debate, provide balanced and objective information and ensure the possibility for citizens to express their expectations and fears;

•    Transparency – inform the public of the implementation of the activities under the Communication Strategy;

•    Coordination with other programmes implemented by the state administration and foreign partners such as communication activities to ensure transparency and publicity in absorbing the Euro funds;

•    Efficiency of expenditures – achieve best results with the resources available. The Strategy is divided into two levels – national and international in view of the different target groups at home and abroad which require different communication means and approaches.