The Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute held a public discussion dedicated to the conclusion of Bulgaria’s Chairmanship-in-Office Programme of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) for 2025–2026, under the motto “Strengthening Regional Connectivity, Economic Growth and Energy Security”. The event took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was organised in cooperation with the Economic Policy Institute. It also marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the SEECP in Sofia.
The discussion was opened with welcoming remarks by Ms. Tanya Mihaylova, Director of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute, and Ms. Ivanka Tasheva, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. The event was moderated by Ms. Rositsa Stoeva, Ambassador-at-Large at the South-Eastern Europe Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The discussion featured H.E. Ms. Brândușa Predescu, Ambassador of Romania to Bulgaria; Mr. Slavtcho Neykov, energy expert and member of the National Advisory Council of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute; and Mr. Yasen Georgiev, Executive Director of the Economic Policy Institute.
The discussion focused on the results achieved under Bulgaria’s three main priorities as Chair of the SEECP: regional connectivity, economic growth and energy security. Mr. Slavtcho Neykov emphasised the need to establish more formats for the practical exchange of best practices among the countries of the region.
In the context of regional connectivity, Mr. Yasen Georgiev highlighted several strategic achievements, including the modernisation of the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing, the planning of new border crossing points with Serbia and Greece, and progress on the key Sofia–Vidin and Makaza road corridors. The Danube River remains a priority, with the large-scale “Fast Danube 2” project aimed at improving navigation, alongside active efforts towards the construction of a third bridge between Bulgaria and Romania. In the railway sector, the most significant developments include tangible progress on Corridor VIII towards the Adriatic Sea and the modernisation of strategic railway connections linking Sofia with Istanbul, Thessaloniki and Bucharest.
H.E. Predescu congratulated Bulgaria on the successful implementation of its SEECP Chairmanship and on the progress achieved on key issues of regional importance. During the discussion, she also presented Romania’s forthcoming SEECP Chairmanship under the motto “Resilient, Connected, European”, which will focus on strengthening resilience in the face of contemporary challenges, enhancing regional connectivity, and supporting the European perspective of the countries of South-East Europe.
The Romanian Chairmanship will build on the foundations already laid, focusing on three key priorities: supporting the European Union enlargement process; countering disinformation and cyber threats; and promoting economic and social development in the region, including through the implementation of the Strategy 2030 and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.
The discussion concluded with an active exchange of views and questions, highlighting the continuity between the Bulgarian and forthcoming Romanian Chairmanships and their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation and stability in South-East Europe.
