Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria – On 28 October 2026, the European Commission’s Representative Office in Bulgaria, in partnership with the Europe Direct Blagoevgrad Centre, organized a two‑hour discussion titled "Navigating Security: Europe's Choices and Young People's Views" at the Youth Centre in Blagoevgrad. The meeting brought together local youth, European Parliament members, and officials to explore how Bulgaria can address security challenges while maintaining economic growth.
MEPs Andrey Novakov of GERB and the European People’s Party and Radan Kanev of the Democrats for Strong Bulgaria, also of the European People’s Party, took part in the dialogue. According to Kanev, the event had been planned well in advance but proved particularly timely, noting that “security is the most important topic to discuss with young people, given the uncertainty of the world today and the need for Bulgaria to address major questions of security and peace with a view to the future of the generation now entering active adulthood.”
Novakov highlighted the enthusiasm of the participants, remarking that a full hall on a weekday was evidence of young people’s interest in the subject. He reflected on the interaction, stating that the participants asked how Bulgaria could protect itself while continuing to invest in its own economy, and that “young people clearly need more meetings, time and discussions to better understand complex processes.”
"The meeting aimed to hear from young people who were already becoming involved in decision‑making and would soon help shape the country's future as politicians, public administration officials, entrepreneurs or security professionals," said Teodor Stoychev, head of the European Commission’s Representative Office in Bulgaria.
Stoychev added that the EU is developing various programmes and activating mechanisms to help strengthen the security of its Member States. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the views of young people are heard and incorporated by Bulgaria’s representatives in the European Parliament.
Krasimira Hadzhikoseva, head of the Europe Direct Blagoevgrad Centre, explained that security was chosen as a topic because it would shape all European policies in the years ahead. The discussion covered various dimensions of security, including cybersecurity, defence cooperation, and the role of youth in shaping policy.
While the meeting underscored the urgency of building a national consensus on security, concrete steps, whether they involve new EU programmes or national legislative initiatives, remain to be determined. The level to which young voices will influence upcoming policy decisions, how the proposed security measures will be financed, and how they will align with Bulgaria’s economic priorities are all questions that have not yet been resolved. The outcomes of this dialogue will likely inform future initiatives but, as yet, no definitive roadmap has been announced.
