Over the past week, the trainee attachés from the 19th cohort of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute, Ms. Elena Vrateogova (Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate, MFA) and Mr. Stoycho Velev (International Law Directorate, MFA), took part in the concluding Module IV of the 26th edition of the European Diplomatic Programme (EDP) in Paphos, Republic of Cyprus. The module was jointly organised by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Diplomatic Academy of Cyprus, within the framework of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The parallel programme for heads of institutions responsible for diplomatic training in the EU Member States was attended by the Director of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute, Ms. Tanya Mihaylova, as well as Mr. Iordan Stoitchkov, Head of the Training, Research and Project Activities Department at the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute.

The Bulgarian representatives participated in panel discussions under the overarching theme “Security and Resilience in the European Union: Challenges, Priorities and Strategic Responses”, led by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, several Cypriot universities, and the European Security and Defence College.

The working sessions addressed hybrid threats facing Europe, the need to strengthen European resilience and strategic coordination, as well as the impact of international conflicts on the security and stability of the EU. Discussions also focused on the management and development of professional training processes in the diplomatic field.

Following the successful completion of the EDP, the Bulgarian participants received their certificates alongside 75 other young diplomats from all EU Member States, marking the conclusion of the programme dedicated to deepening knowledge of European policies, exchanging experience, and fostering cooperation among European diplomatic services.