Emine Gyulestan: "The Western Balkans and Turkey should join the EU when they meet the Copenhagen criteria"

Emine Gyulestan was born in 1986 in Momtchilgrad, Bulgaria. She holds a Bachelor degree in Balkan studies and International relations from the American university in Bulgaria. Her interests include the culture and history of the whole Balkan region. Speaks English, Greek and Turkish.

Q: What direction should the EU take - towards United States of Europe or towards Europe of the Nations?

A: I think there's a common ground between the two visions - cooperation between the member-states. The question is about the extent of that cooperation - whether the emphasis should fall on integration of the different nations or mostly on economic cooperation. I think it would be perfect if we can a find a combination of the two projects.

Q: What’s your opinion on the issue of enlargement? Should the Western Balkans and Turkey join the union and when?

A: There are certain criteria that the Western Balkans need to meet, just as Bulgaria and Romania did before joining the EU. From Bulgarian point of view, I believe that it is better to be surrounded by states in stable economic condition which are integrated in the EU. If Bulgaria manages to help the Western Balkans in that sense we shall deserve a very good image and credit.

Q: What should be the priorities of the Bulgarian membership in the EU?

A: As a young person I see education as priority. With the proper education and proper qualities, we can better integrate in the European family and be competitive.

Q: What would be your personal priorities if you would become a Bulgarian representative in the European Parliament?

A: My personal priority is education which is very important especially for Balkan countries like Bulgaria. There are minorities in the Bulgarian society like the Roma which don't manage to use the opportunities to tackle their problems. I believe there should be a unified European educational system to enable and strengthen the mechanisms for student mobility in all the 27 member-states.

Emine Gyulestan is tenth on the list of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) in the European Parliament elections.

P.S. The interview has been made with the assistance of the Bulgarian National Television.

"The Lisbon treaty would give Brussels more control over Bulgaria's unconsolidated democracy" says Boris Stanimirov of the Blue coalition

Boris Stanimirov was born in 1976 in Sofia, Bulgaria. He holds a Bachelor degree in molecular biology for the University of Sofia. Specialized in political science in the New Bulgarian University. Boris Stanimirov is vice-president of the European Young Conservatives under the patronage of Margaret Thatcher. Speaks four languages. Married with two kids – a boy and a girl.

Q: What direction should the EU take - towards United States of Europe or towards Europe of the Nations?

A: As far as the federalist project for Europe is connected to the Lisbon treaty, this is the vision that benefits Bulgaria more. Because on one side it gives Bulgaria more seats in the European Parliament and on the other - gives Brussels more control over Bulgaria's unconsolidated democracy. It has to be mentioned though, that Europe of the Nations also has good sides.

Q: What’s your opinion on the issue of enlargement? Should the Western Balkans and Turkey join the union and when?

A: The important topics for Bulgaria regarding enlargement concern Macedonia and Turkey. Turkey is quite big in terms of size and population. If she does not meet the membership standards she can destabilize the whole European Union. If small Bulgaria simply scandalized Europe with some internal problems then 70-million Turkey could destabilize and literally torpedo the European institutions. As far as Macedonia is concerned, Bulgaria was the first country to recognize its independence. I hope Bulgaria will also be the first to welcome Macedonia as a new EU member as soon as the country settles the disputes with its neighbors and adopts a truly European position towards Bulgaria.

Q: What should be the priorities of the Bulgarian membership in the EU?

A: Unfortunately, the first priority should be the restoration of trust in Bulgaria which was forfeited. Then the unfreezing of European funds for the country - almost 6 bn. Euros until 2013. Our ambition is to make that happen by the end of the year.

Q: What would be your personal priorities if you would become a Bulgarian representative in the European Parliament?

A: My personal priority would be that Bulgaria becomes home of all ethnic Bulgarians in the world. There are traditional Bulgarian communities in Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine and Moldova which should have their European perspective. They should feel the support of European Bulgaria. That's our national ideal and a legacy of our ancestors. Bulgaria has never had an instrument to fulfill it as its European membership now.

Boris Stanimirov is seventh on the Blue Coalition’s list for the European Parliament elections.

P.S. The interview has been made with the assistance of the Bulgarian National Television.

"Turkey should never join the EU" - how the Bulgarian nationalists motivate their view

Nikola Rachev was born on Sept. 19, 1983 in Sofia, Bulgaria. He studies medicine at the Medical university in Sofia. Speaks English, Spanish and Russian. Nikola has been a member of political party "Ataka"'s youth organization for three years. His hobby - sports. Nikola likes to read historical literature. I interviewed Nikola on his view of Europe and the Bulgarian membership in the EU.

Q: What direction should the EU take - towards United States of Europe or towards Europe of the Nations?

A: I think the EU should implement the "Europe of the Nations" project. This way the national identity of Bulgaria will be preserved - something that "Ataka" is standing for.

Q: What's your opinion on the issue of enlargement? Should the Western Balkans and Turkey join the union and when?

A: Never. We should say "No" to the Turkish accession in the European Union. As we know Turkey is a descendent of the Othoman Empire and its values and religion are completely incompatible with the European ones. Turkey would never work in European interest. Besides, if Turkey becomes an EU member that would allow many Turkish citizens to come and vote on the Bulgarian parliamentary and European elections.

Q: What should be the priorities of the Bulgarian membership in the EU?

A: The main priorities are four. Firstly, the reopening of the closed reactors of the Bulgarian nuclear power plant "Kozludui". As we well know their closing was not a necessary condidtion for our EU accession. Secondly, I think the (agricultural) production quotas should be abolished or at least raised. The current quotas for Bulgaria are too low. Thirdly, the European social legislation should be applied in Bulgaria and last but not least - the EU should not interfere in national religious issues.

Q: What would be your personal priorities if you would become a Bulgarian representative in the European Parliament?

A: If I am elected my main priority would be to study the European health system in the different member states and try to apply it in Bulgaria as currently the Bulgarian health system does not work for the patients best interests.

Nikola Rachev is seventh on "Ataka"'s list for the European Parliament elections.


P.S. The interview has been made with the assistance of the Bulgarian National Television.