?t the Arraiolos forum in Riga the Bulgarian President emphasized that EU's future depends on engaging the citizens in making the important for Europe decisions

The EU’s future depends on the ability to engage the citizens in making the important for Europe decisions. One of the EU’s great problems today is the strengthened impression that Europe’s future is determined by small elite. This is what President Rumen Radev said in the statement he made on the second day of the meeting of the Heads of State of the Arraiolos group, which is held in the capital of Latvia, Riga.

The Bulgarian Head of State emphasized that the democratic institutions in Europe are a fact. Nevertheless they fail to fulfill their role of engaging the citizens and a big portion of the Europeans do not have the feeling they are represented in the institutions.

In Rumen Radev’s words, the economic and social rapprochement between “old” and “new” EU member states is an obligatory condition for preserving the Union’s potential to stay united and to act as a community. “The differences in the European countries’ social and economic development further lead to different priorities in their development policies. When such differences go beyond a specific level, they may endanger solidarity, unity and even the process of European integration,” the Head of State was adamant.

Rumen Radev called for a real integration in the social sphere, and in the spheres of economy and education, as the most efficient measure to defend the European principles and values. “For me the attraction of foreign investments does not boil down to the amount of funds, but to the model of public relations, improving the business environment and the quality of life they bring to society,” the President emphasized.

The European Union can be successful in the future only if it embodies success not only as a community, but also the success of all member states, Rumen Radev further said in his statement at the forum. “If the EU is not united and fails to reaffirm its values in Europe’s neighboring regions, then sooner or later it will start importing models, external to the Union,” the President was adamant. In the Head of State’s words, this requires integration also in the sphere of foreign policy and diplomacy, building an adequate defense capacity, whereby the EU will guarantee its interests.  

Later on President Rumen Radev will meet representatives of the Bulgarian community in Latvia.