In brief
In late October, a meeting organized by the European Commission’s Bulgarian Representative Office and the Europe Direct Blagoevgrad Centre gathered local youth and MEPs Andrey Novakov and Radan Kanev to discuss European security. The event, held at the city’s Youth Centre, was fully attended and steered by Teodor Stoychev. Officials emphasized building national consensus on security and urged young voices to help shape Bulgaria’s policy. Experts highlighted the need to balance protection with economic investment.
At 8:20 p.m. on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, a forum titled "Navigating Security: Europe's Choices and Young People's Views" convened at the Youth Centre in Blagoevgrad, where local young people gathered with Members of the European Parliament to debate the continent’s security priorities.
The event, organized by the European Commission’s Representative Office in Bulgaria and the Europe Direct Blagoevgrad Centre, was fully attended. MEPs Andrey Novakov of the GERB/European People’s Party and Radan Kanev, a Democrat for Strong Bulgaria/European People’s Party representative, participated and spoke with reporters before the discussion began.
Kanev explained that the meeting had been planned well in advance, and he considered it "particularly timely" given the uncertainty of the present world. He said security was the most important topic for young people, stressing that Bulgaria must build a new national consensus on security rather than allowing it to become divisive. He urged the generation entering adulthood to help shape how society addresses risks and challenges.
Novakov noted that the full hall on a weekday confirmed the pressing interest of young people in security topics. During the two‑hour dialogue, participants asked how Bulgaria could protect itself while continuing to invest in its economy. He concluded that young people need more meetings and discussions to grasp the complex processes involved in security policy.
Teodor Stoychev, head of the European Commission’s Representative Office in Bulgaria, told reporters that the EU is developing numerous programmes and mechanisms to strengthen member‑state security. He added that the meeting aimed to hear from youth already involved in decision‑making and soon to shape Bulgaria’s future as politicians, administrators, entrepreneurs, or security professionals. Stoychev underscored the importance of incorporating their views into Bulgaria’s European Parliament representatives’ actions.
Krasimira Hadzhikoseva, head of the Europe Direct Blagoevgrad Centre, said the topic of security was chosen because it would shape all European policies in the coming years. She noted that the discussion covered various dimensions of the issue, emphasizing the need for collective action.
