From 8 to 12 June, the 26th Summer Seminar for Young Public Policy Professionals, entitled “Strategic Visions for Central and Eastern Europe in the Polycrises Era”, was held in Albena Resort. The seminar was organised by our partners at the Economic Policy Institute, with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.

The Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute was represented by Mr. Nikola Peykov, Junior Expert at the Public Affairs and Cooperation Department, who took part in the forum alongside young experts and representatives of analytical and research organisations from 10 countries in Southeast Europe and the Black Sea region. Bulgaria was also represented by officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and the University of National and World Economy.

The official opening of the seminar was attended by Mr. Yasen Georgiev, Executive Director of the Economic Policy Institute, and Dr. Klaus Fiesinger, Regional Director of the Hanns Seidel Foundation for Southeast Europe. Messages of greeting to the participants were delivered by Mr. Hristo Polendakov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, and Ms. Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria.

The programme featured lectures and practical exercises led by experts from Central and Eastern Europe, focusing on the region’s current strategic challenges, the development of public policies and international cooperation. As part of the seminar, participants also visited the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna.