What Stanislav spoke about.

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Written Statements BG

Need to strengthen rail travel and the railway sector in Europe (debate)

Strengthening Europe's rail sector involves several strategic stages, such as increasing funding for infrastructure, upgrading existing lines and building new connections to increase efficiency and capacity, as well as addressing existing bottlenecks. Improving connections between railways and other means of transport is also essential to simplify travel and improve accessibility. Improving regional connectivity is still a challenge in some Member States where there are regions completely detached from the main corridors. This severely affects their economic well-being and competitiveness. It is essential to ensure that rural and less populated areas are connected to large cities in order to avoid widening bottlenecks and economic disparities between regions.

20

May

2026

Speeches BG

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Recent proposals to fight poverty in the EU (debate)

Well, reality refutes you, because in fact the economic results are very bad, i.e. what you say is not sustainable and you cannot argue with reality. That's right. This is the reality itself. Economic performance in Europe is poor. We have serious problems that we have to solve and we have to have common sense, to be pragmatic, reasonable and to approach with an idea of solving the problems, and not to persevere in a certain direction. That's my answer.

20

May

2026

Answers BG

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Recent proposals to fight poverty in the EU (debate)

Actually, I meant something else. When I say that ideologies are being pursued, I meant that sustainable and persistent policies are being imposed that have economic damage. I refer to some of the green policies, which are extremely controversial and bring a lot of economic damage, are not well thought out and the price is paid by all of us. The price is paid by the business, the price is paid by the citizens. There are many other ideologies that are geopolitical, such as the imposition of sanctions. There can be sought a much more pragmatic solution such as diplomacy, dialogue. And we have been stubbornly imposing sanctions for four years now with no visible result. So far, the result is zero. That's what I meant.

20

May

2026

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Recent proposals to fight poverty in the EU (debate)

Madam President, it is becoming increasingly difficult for tens of millions of Europeans to meet basic needs. According to Eurostat data for 2024, 21% of the population of the European Union is at risk of poverty and social exclusion. In Bulgaria, this share reaches even 30.3%. It is clear that the problem is not only social, but also economic. For too long, the European Union has followed the wrong priorities and ideologies instead of putting the well-being of citizens at the forefront. We cannot have a good social policy with a weakening economy. Bureaucracy, overregulation, expensive energy, a lack of cheap resources, sanctions, weak investment and low productivity are some of the causes of economic problems and the deepening of poverty. Equal access to basic services must be guaranteed. Without access to quality education, healthcare and real development opportunities, entire generations remain doomed to poverty. Real social policy starts with a strong economy and production, supporting families and protecting the purchasing power of citizens. I would support any strategy that offers real solutions to these problems.

20

May

2026

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High time to deliver on the Single Market, providing certainty and predictability for EU businesses and quality jobs (continuation of debate)

Madam President, the single market is one of the most remarkable achievements of the European Union. But no less remarkable is that despite this huge market, Europe is losing industrial capacity, investment and economic weight as economies in Asia and America grow. We need less ideology and more pragmatism, a clear strategy for competitiveness, industry and innovation. Without a strong economy, we condemn Europeans to a low standard of living. European business needs something very simple: certainty and predictability. Instead, it has received endless regulations and ever-changing rules for years. The weight is not the same for everyone. Small businesses spend more time filling out documents than manufacturing and investing. Large corporations can afford armies of consultants. European capital must serve the European economy, industry and technology. It is time for the European Union to put competitiveness in production and economic growth back at the heart of its policy.

19

May

2026

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Recommendation on the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (debate)

Mr President, the European Union must respect the UN Charter. The idea of the Union gaining a permanent seat on the Security Council is unrealistic and contradicts the very logic of the organisation. The United Nations is an organisation of sovereign and equal states, and the European Union is not a state. Let's focus on something achievable. For eight decades, nine secretaries-general have headed the United Nations. Western Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America – they all already had a representative at the head of the organisation. The UN General Assembly has repeatedly confirmed that the election of the Secretary-General must respect geographical balance. In the eighty-year history of the United Nations, no secretary-general has ever been from Eastern Europe, and more than half of the countries in the Eastern European group are now members of the European Union. Eastern Europe could be the bridge the world needs. That is why the principle of geographical balance in the election of the UN Secretary-General must be clearly present in the report.

30

Apr

2026

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How to secure a sustainable future for the EU livestock sector in light of the need to ensure food security, farmers’ resilience and the challenges posed by animal diseases? (debate)

Mr President, following a series of erroneous policies, the livestock sector in the European Union is facing serious challenges. We are looking forward to the European Commission's new livestock strategy. I hope that this time it will offer clear, concrete and timely solutions to the needs of the sector. Animal diseases continue to threaten farmers' production and incomes. African swine fever, bird flu and others have shown how vulnerable the system is. Clearer prevention, better monitoring and a faster coordinated response to crises are needed. At the same time, farmers are under increasing pressure - higher energy and feed costs, price volatility and increasingly stringent environmental requirements. Reasonable, durable solutions are needed, as well as tackling import dependency on key raw materials. As for alternative proteins such as those from insects and laboratory meat, they can not replace animal husbandry. They are often presented as an easy solution, but carry a number of risks, technological uncertainties and undermine consumer confidence. European livestock farming maintains entire regions and adheres to some of the highest standards in the world. It should not be sacrificed in favour of uncertain alternatives and extreme ideologies. In a world with an increasing number of conflicts and trade agreements, the existence and competitiveness of the agricultural sector must be ensured. Without food security, talks about Europe's strategic autonomy remain empty talk.

29

Apr

2026

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EU strategy in response to the ongoing Middle East crisis, its implications on energy prices and the availability of fertilizers (joint debate)

12

Mar

2026

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Rail transport safety in the EU – lessons learnt from the Adamuz accident and three years after the Tempi tragedy (debate)

Madam President, the tragedies in Adamus and Tembi have taken lives and plunged many families into grief. These catastrophes remind us that safety in the railway sector is not a given. It requires constant vigilance, investment and responsible management. Reliable infrastructure and effective safety control mechanisms are vital for the sector. There are still networks in Europe that urgently need to be upgraded to provide safe and reliable connections for citizens and businesses. As the Commissioner noted, in countries such as Slovakia and Bulgaria, incidents and near misses are not uncommon. Therefore, the Commission's plan to build a European high-speed rail network should not remain just an ambitious project. Concrete action is needed to reduce disparities in infrastructure development between Member States. The ubiquitous implementation of the European Rail Traffic Management System is an important step in this direction. Let us honour the memory of the victims with responsible decisions and real actions to ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.

10

Mar

2026

Speeches BG

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EU enlargement strategy (debate)

Mr President, the enlargement of the European Union must be a predictable process, guided by clear rules. The implementation of the commitments undertaken in the negotiating frameworks of the candidate countries is crucial. The accession of a new country without complying with the Copenhagen criteria will have negative consequences for the whole Union. It is obvious that some countries are making efforts and implementing reforms, while others are trying to trick. It is worth noting that hastily fabricated facade reforms undermine the legitimacy of the process itself and will bring damage in the long run. Delays in the enlargement process will not be overcome by procedural tricks. Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union clearly states that enlargement requires the unanimity of the Member States. Attempts to circumvent this principle in the name of short-term political goals are short-sighted and must stop. Enlargement is a key process that should not be used for political convenience. If abused, European citizens will pay the price.

12

Feb

2026

Answers BG

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Time to address economic inequalities in the EU and worldwide (debate)

12

Feb

2026

Speeches BG

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Time to address economic inequalities in the EU and worldwide (debate)

11

Feb

2026

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Urgent actions to revive EU competitiveness, deepen the EU Single Market and reduce the cost of living - from the Draghi report to reality (debate)

9

Feb

2026

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Amending Regulations on agricultural products as regards market rules and sectoral support measures in the wine sector and for aromatised wine products (debate)

21

Jan

2026

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Restoring control of migration: returns, visa policy and third-country cooperation (topical debate)

Mr President, it is clear to all of us that the world is changing rapidly - geopolitically, economically and demographically. It is in these times that the European Union must act decisively and protect its own citizens. Restoring migration control is a matter of security, fairness and responsibility. The European Union cannot be strong if it does not control who enters its territory, under what conditions and for what purpose. Today we are faced with a serious contradiction. While labour migration from third countries is encouraged, more than 13 200 000 Europeans are unemployed according to the latest data. Our first duty is to our citizens. The European Union must support and use its internal labour potential before it opens its doors. Lack of control is also a threat to our internal security. Visa policy should not be used to circumvent the rules. Only with clear rules and order can we protect Europe's future. Misguided migration policy threatens even European civilisation itself.

21

Jan

2026

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European Council meeting (joint debate)

Mr President, the European Council's decision on a EUR 90 billion loan to Ukraine will have serious and long-term financial consequences. It means less money for key European policies and more burden for Member States. But the problem is not just financial. This is an approach that leaves no room for active diplomacy and prolongs the conflict. When diplomacy is absent and weapons are spoken, the price is paid with sacrifices. Enlargement is a responsible and long-term commitment. When it comes down to a political signal, the credibility of the process itself is undermined. A real positive signal is forward-looking solutions and the protection of the European interest on the global stage. The European Union is not capable of responding to today's challenges. Thanks to many wrong decisions, he is in strained relations with the world's leading powers. It is high time diplomacy turned into deeds, not just words.

20

Jan

2026

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CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TEU) (joint debate)

Mr President, the enormous challenges facing Europe require responsible, wise and decisive action. Bypassing the right of veto formally aims to increase efficiency, but in practice leads to a limitation of the powers of the Member States in the field of foreign policy and security. For frontline countries such as Bulgaria, security solutions are of great importance and should not be imposed through political pressure or supranational mechanisms. National governments are democratically accountable to their citizens and should not be transferred to Brussels. The reports mention diplomacy as a principle, but do not highlight it as a real tool for seeking and achieving peace. There is a lack of concrete mediation initiatives, negotiation formats and a clear path to de-escalation. Sanctions are counterproductive, and an assessment of their effect on the European Union has so far been lacking. A strong Europe is built on strong nation states. The role of Brussels is to support them through dialogue and real diplomacy.

26

Nov

2025

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The situation of Christian communities and religious minorities in Nigeria and the Middle East, and Europe’s responsibility to protect them and guarantee freedom of conscience (topical debate)

26

Nov

2025

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EU position on the proposed plan and EU engagement towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine (debate)

25

Nov

2025

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EU’s diplomatic strategy and geopolitical cooperation in the Arctic (debate)

Madam President, the European Union can be a stabilising factor in the High North if it respects sovereignty and equal cooperation between the countries of the region. Observer status in the Arctic Council is granted unanimously by its eight members. In today's international environment, and given Brussels' short-sighted policy, this seems impossible. It will be interesting to see how the European Commission convinces the Russian Federation to support such a decision. Since Greenland left the Union in 1985, no Member State has landlocked the Arctic Ocean. Therefore, the idea of large-scale infrastructure investments in the Arctic through the Multiannual Financial Framework needs to be considered very carefully, all the more so since it has neither a legal nor a political basis. If it is to be successful, the European Union must encourage dialogue. Blind adherence to the principle of ‘peace by force’ is harmful, and the Union’s inability to obtain observer status in the Arctic Council proves it.

22

Oct

2025

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The ongoing assault on the democratic institutions and the rule of law in Bulgaria (topical debate)

Madam President, we strongly condemn all forms of political repression. Justice should not serve those in power. But this tribune must tell the truth. For six years now, Bulgarian Vazrazhdane MPs have been investigated not for corruption, but for participating in civil protests against the water crisis in 2020. About one fifth of our parliamentary group has been charged, not with abuse of power or embezzlement, but with participating in civil protests, including in defence of the right to a referendum in Bulgaria. A right that Renew practically banned when they were in power, and the pinnacle of cynicism is that it is their elected representatives who demand the lifting of the immunities of MPs on a weekly basis. None of Renew supported our resolution against the 33-day political arrest of citizens who participated in protests to defend this right and were eventually released without charge. Then why were you silent? We stand behind the rule of law and against double standards, which undermine trust in democracy and unfortunately find ground here as well.

21

Oct

2025

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Institutional consequences of the EU enlargement negotiations (debate)

Mr President, the enlargement of the European Union is a legal and political process. Turning it into a geopolitical instrument undermines the Treaty on European Union itself, and abolishing the right of veto would effectively make it a second Soviet Union. The European Union must be enlarged according to clear criteria and not by convenience. Reform is necessary, but it should not be rushed – let alone used as a cover for authoritarianism or federalisation. Such reform was not carried out before the enlargements to Central and Eastern Europe. On the contrary, the candidate countries themselves have reformed at the cost of enormous deprivation. It must be considered very carefully, preserving sovereignty and the right of veto. The right of veto in the Council of the European Union is clearly an obstacle for the ruling bureaucratic elite. It is called for its abolition. This would turn the partnership between member states into coercion. No unity will be achieved, but domination over dissent. This approach is already yielding absurd results: North Macedonia, which is not yet a member of the European Union, openly advocates qualified majority voting in the Council. This is an attempt to circumvent the commitments Skopje made in 2022 to the entire European Union. Reform is necessary, but it must be the subject of serious analysis and not at the cost of the sovereignty of the member states. Once again, without veto power, the European Union is becoming a Soviet Union.

21

Oct

2025

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Recent peace agreement in the Middle East and the role of the EU (debate)

Madam President, I welcome the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and the release of the remaining 20 living hostages. But let's not confuse freezing the conflict with real peace. A stable peace is built with trust and constant effort. Realism must therefore be a guiding principle in the Commission's strategy for the Middle East. Funding for the reconstruction of Gaza and the West Bank needs to be fully transparent and linked to political reforms. It is unacceptable that Palestinians depend on aid to survive. In this case, the European Union risks becoming the sponsor of another crisis. The European Commission can be useful if it acts as an honest broker and helps Israelis and Palestinians build trust with each other, if it provides humanitarian and expert assistance, without imposing dogmas and without using the situation as a pretext for centralising the European Union's foreign policy. We should also not forget the Christian communities in Gaza and the West Bank, which are about to disappear. A solution for both countries is a necessity. But peace and prosperity will not be possible unless hate speech is rejected and reconciliation is achieved. Only in this way can we create the basis for sustainable peace in the region and avoid future migration crises.

7

Oct

2025

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New Strategic EU-India Agenda (debate)

Mr President, India is one of the most active players on the modern world stage. Its foreign policy is pragmatic, driven not by ideology but by the interests of its own citizens. India's open dialogue with everyone, Russia, the United States and China is an example for the European Union. The country is modernising at breathtaking speed and huge infrastructure projects are creating opportunities for European companies. Cooperation on digital, energy, automotive and pharmaceuticals could open up new horizons. Trade between the European Union and India is growing and an investment protection agreement could create legal certainty as long as it is based on the principles of equal partnership. India draws its unity and strength from its cultural and religious identity, and this is the most valuable lesson it can teach us. Instead of teaching others, we should start respecting our own roots and our Christian values.

7

Oct

2025

Speeches BG

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Common agricultural policy (joint debate)

Mr President, farmers across Europe are under enormous pressure. They face rising costs and market volatility. Trade agreements like the one with Mercosur open the door to unfair competition from countries with lower production standards. The lack of dialogue and common sense, as well as the affinity for the European Commission's war, are bleeding out agriculture. Farmers are losing their place in the food supply chain and rural areas are declining due to depopulation and lack of opportunities for young people. The Common Agricultural Policy proposed by the European Commission will aggravate the crisis in the sector. The instrument that allowed farmers to withstand market fluctuations was cut in the name of war. It is an insult to the people who keep our villages alive and provide bread to Europe. If Europe abandons its farmers, it abandons itself. We are close to European farmers because without them there is practically no Europe.