The event is co-hosted by the PES’s European parliamentary group, Socialists & Democrats, and the parliamentary group of the centre-right European People’s Party.

As a former prime minister of Bulgaria as well as the leader of the country’s Socialist delegation in the European Parliament, Mr Stanishev is the opening speaker. Other headline speakers include Boyko Borissov, the current prime minister of Bulgaria and leader of the ruling party GERB; Korneliya Ninova, leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party; and Dragomi Stoinev, deputy chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party parliamentary group.

The conference is titled ‘Bulgaria in the eurozone: Economic logic vs myths’. Leading economic experts will also discuss the cost of non-entry into the eurozone.

In advance of opening the conference, Mr Stanishev said:

“At this crucial point in the Bulgarian EU presidency, the attention of all of Europe is focused on Bulgaria, and the eurozone is high on the agenda. This is an opportunity that Bulgaria must seize.

“That’s why I proposed today’s high-level conference, to bring together Bulgaria’s major parties as well as economists and other experts to lay out the path to joining the single currency, and address some of the myths around it.

“Our place is in a reformed single currency, one which works to improve the prosperity of all its members and to reduce the gap between the EU’s richer and poorer countries. This is not just a treaty obligation for Bulgaria, but a political priority too.”

The conference, called Europe back on track, was a discussion on the European Commission’s white paper and the five possible scenarios for the future of Europe.

Enrique Guerrero Salom, Vice-Chair of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, who was also a key speaker at the event, outlined the possible sixth scenario proposed by S&D MEPs.

In his speech, PES president Sergei Stanishev said:

“Europe is too much common market, and not enough a union in the name of the people. We need to work for a Europe which guarantees social justice.

“The European project was built on solidarity and cooperation. We must continue in this direction, with more cooperation and solidarity and more focus on the citizens of the union.”

PES president Sergei Stanishev said:

“Securing 80 seats out of 240 is a strong success for the BSP and for the PES. The process of socialists regaining positions in Bulgaria started in December, when the new Bulgarian president was elected on a socialist ticket. We see a clear trend and a strong demand for social justice in Bulgaria, with voters trusting BSP as the only genuine force on the left, leaving a number of smaller political projects from all parts of the political spectrum outside of Parliament. What is also clear is that the major conservative force once again falls well short of an absolute majority.

“Even if the right wing manages to form a government in Bulgaria in coalition with the nationalists and the populists, they will face strong opposition to their typically EPP austerity policy,” Stanishev added.

He said that the Bulgarian Socialist Party will have to play an important role as defender of our common socialist values such as democracy, solidarity, freedom and social justice.

“Being the voice of almost 1 million people entails great responsibility: BSP will have to be a key player in the upcoming period, when both the future of the European Union and Brexit negotiations will be high on the agenda. At the same time, Bulgaria will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU from January 2018. This is a great opportunity for socialists in Bulgaria to push for a more united Europe, a more social Europe, and more solidarity and social justice – things which conservatives across Europe have failed to deliver so far.”

Stanishev recalled the success of the Youth Guarantee initiative, which managed to secure EUR 6 bln in EU funding for youth employment measures in Europe during the last EP term.

The first pillar in our Youth Plan – employment, received the largest support from young people attending the event. ‘Our ambition is to secure additional funding for the Youth Guarantee, up to EUR 20 bln until year 2020’, Stanishev said.

On the second pillar, education, Stanishev added: ‘Any prospect for the future of our youth is based on decent education. This is why we call for the Erasmus+ programme to be extended to secondary school students’.

Commenting on the third pillar, child protection, Stanishev pointed out that still in the EU one in every 4 children faces poverty risk. ‘It is outrageous to me that there are children who go to bed hungry, who cannot afford to go to school or cannot afford quality healthcare. We would like to see a dedicated European fund to channel the necessary financing to all countries’, Stanishev explained.

‘We would also like to see a European cultural cheque – a fixed sum voucher for every young European above 18, giving him or her access to cultural experience, be it a book, cinema, theatre, exhibitions or else, to support young people’s personal development.’ Stanishev pointed out that this is already being implemented in Italy, where socialist Prime Minister Matteo Renzi introduced a 500 EUR cultural cheque.

On the funding necessary for the European Youth Plan, Stanishev was clear that it was a matter of political will and prioritising: ‘A review of the current MFF is due next year, this is the perfect opportunity which we should seize to make this happen. It will require the joint efforts of our political family – PES, the S&D Group, our Prime Ministers and sister parties’.

‘I count on BSP to promote these four pillars and see them embedded in the national budget’, Stanishev added.

BSP Chair Kornelia Ninova supported the PES initiative:

‘A lot has been said on Youth, but it is time for actions now. From the four pillars, education and jobs are an overarching priority to me’, she said. In her view, the economy is fundamental for the nation, but the economy now lacks adequate workforce. ‘Young people were clear that in order to stay in their home country, they would like to have good education, a healthy way of life and a decent job. They are ready to be an active part of our society, and we, as politicians, must provide the opportunity for that to happen’.

Iliana Iotova: ‘A different youth policy is needed if we want the young people to be well-educated and self-confident’

‘Education is the key pillar for me in this initiative. In Bulgaria, over the past 2 years only, more than 800 schools have been closed. This is a symptom of serious sickness for our society. There are less and less young people in schools, and they are forced to walk sometimes for miles to reach school. The State is not doing its job here’, Iotova said. She was adamant that a different youth policy was need to bring about well-educated and self-confident youth.

Following the latest tragedy in the Mediterranean where hundreds of refugees lost their lives in an attempt to reach the Italian shores, European socialists demand urgent action from EU Member states. President of the French Republic Francois Hollande, Prime Ministers of Italy Matteo Renzi, of Malta Joseph Muscat and of Denmark Helle Thorning-Schmidt as well as European Parliament President Martin Schulz, EU HR/VP Federica Mogherini, among others, attended the meeting.

Earlier today PES adopted a declaration with concrete proposals for urgent measures. Sergei Stanishev explained that PES’ top priority is saving human lives and preventing further such tragedies. In his view the flow of refugees must be shared between EU Member states on the basis of solidarity and the EU should finally have a truly common migration policy.

First of all please let me greet the BSP Congress on behalf of the big PES family and wish you a fruitful discussion producing common clear and inspiring messages to the Bulgarian society – said Stanishev in his speech during the 48th BSP Congress taking place today at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, Bulgaria.

In his words, the political fights of BSP are an integral part of the will and efforts of the socialist family to change Europe, to uphold its social nature, to restore its economic dynamics and to create new jobs with decent wages.

He added that the success of every PES-affiliated party is crucial for the common cause of the socialists, and that every achievement at European level gives strength also to the national parties.

Disappointment among the people has been growing in the last years – in Bulgaria, by the results of the transition, and in Europe – by the results of the austerity policies.

The outcome of all this is clear – modest economic growth, high unemployment, growing inequalities and undermined solidarity. For us the reason behind is also clear – the imposed neoliberal model for development of the market and society. But it is precisely our duty, of the socialists – in Bulgaria and in Europe, to present a new vision for progressive development. The new left narrative for the future is a huge intellectual and political mission for us all, said PES President.

He expressed the view that BSP has walked a long and difficult way from the periphery of the European left to undisputed authority and respect within PES. It was us who achieved full-fledged EU membership for our country. We have all the reasons to be proud of our accomplishments. They are a strong political capital for our party. It should also be crystal clear to us that the European identity of BSP is an important condition for our perspective as a political force which aspires to successfully govern the country – Stanishev added.

I will mention here the need for self-confidence again. We should start respecting ourselves so that others can respect us, too. We should stop personal fights. This is our first responsibility before our voters. We should promote our achievements in the governing of the country and on local level because a large part of the people still does not know about them.

I believe that a strong national campaign is a necessary prerequisite for the success of our candidates for the local elections. We cannot leave them alone against the administrative machinery engaged to the benefit of and in service of GERB.

After all, the upcoming campaign is not merely the sum of 265 separate elections for mayors, nor it is a race between people promising ever more streets repaired, fountains built and children playgrounds opened. We should clearly present the most basic question to the people: if they really want GERB to have all the power in the country?

After having the executive, legislative and presidential powers, do the citizens want to present the local power to GERB as a gift as well and ensure the prolongation of the status-quo?

I think that BSP can and should be a wide and open political platform for all people with ideas, authority, civil stance, who want a better future for their municipality and the country as a whole. I believe that this will be reflected in the approach of the party leadership, both on national and local level, when nominating candidates and preparing the lists.

There is nothing predetermined both in life and in politics. Everything is in our own hands. In 2011, opinion polls argued 42% of Plevneliev, 26% for Kuneva and 14-15% for Kalfin. But then we found the strength and motivation to create the necessary energy in society to turn the tide which led to the first serious shake of one authoritarian, repressive and antisocial model.

Today there is somebody missing in the room, a man who gave us strength and faith back then. A man who we all love because he embodies the best of our values! Lambo! I know that you watch us live now on TV, excited and going through this with us. Let us all give a big round of applause to express our gratitude to him for all what he has done for our party in the hardest of times!

This means a heavy responsibility for us. Let us promise that we will not disappoint him! Neither him, nor our predecessors, nor Bulgaria, which needs a social alternative! – concluded Stanishev in an emotional speech before the delegates.

In his view the Ukraine crisis heavily damaged the relations and trust between Europe and Russia. ‘Tens of thousands of people became victims of the conflict, refugees are close to a million. Saber rattling, sanctions and counter-sanctions being applied, political and media rhetoric reminds more and more of the years of the Cold war. I myself, as well as most people in this room, remember the times of the Cold war, Stanishev said.

I do not wish to see Europe divided again. I do not wish to see my children grow in fear, distrust and fierce, to grow in a ‘front-line’ state.

Peace is key historical value of social democracy and of the European project. This is why the socialist family both in Bulgaria and in Europe have worked for the de-escalation, political dialogue and political solution to the conflict ever since its beginning. I would like us all to remember that it was in the darkest times of the Cold war, just a year after the occupation of Czechoslovakia, Willy Brandt initiated his Eastern policy which gave an impetus to the Détente.

It is not by chance that we are preparing a big international conference dedicated to the new Eastern policy precisely with SPD-Germany. I am confident that the Bulgarian Socialist Party can contribute to finding a peaceful and sustainable solution to this crisis, PES President Stanishev added.

‘It’s high time for the Bulgarian parliament to unambiguously support the efforts of politicians, institutions and the national campaign ‘Bulgaria in Schengen. It’s time!’ stated Stanishev on his Facebook page.

‘There will be a European Council meeting in June when we can again raise the issue of Bulgaria joining the Schengen area. I think that the time is right for the National Assembly, following a report by the government on the fulfilment of the criteria, to come up with a national position on this in the coming weeks. The voice of Bulgaria will be heard when we stand united on a national cause, society, media, politicians, institutions alike.

The adoption of a political declaration by the National Assembly would be a strong signal which will strengthen trust in Bulgaria. It would be a sign of a untied position and of the readiness of Bulgaria to take its place as a full-fledged member of the EU’.