The European Union is a group of nations in Europe that have
joined together for mutual benefit. The
countries enjoy free trade amongst themselves.
Many of them have open borders to other EU countries, and a significant
number even use the same currency (the Euro).
Bulgaria, along with our neighbor to the north Romania, joined the union
on January 1, 2007. We do not currently enjoy
open borders with other EU countries, but we do enjoy many benefits from being
in the Union. For example, my wife and
daughters can travel to any EU country without so much as a stamp in their passport. They could even live and work in these
countries with great ease.
Being in the Union also has another advantage. The EU presidency of the Council of the EU rotates
every 6 months. If you are in the EU,
eventually your country will host the presidency. Hosting the presidency gives your country a
chance to promote agenda items that your country values. Currently, Bulgaria is hosting the presidency!
Most Bulgarians hardly notice that the presidency is
here. Those in Sofia might notice a bit
more as there are occasionally more police guarding certain routes for
diplomatic envoys to work their way through town, but largely life goes on uninterrupted. The biggest change I have noticed around town is the presence of more flags. The EU
has 28 member states at the moment. (Britain
is working on leaving the Union, but as it currently stands they are still in.) There are a few displays of all 28 flags
along with the EU flag itself flying around the capital.
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| EU member states' flags |
What will hosting the presidential council mean long term
for Bulgaria? Probably nothing too
dramatic. Still, it is great to have our
time in the spotlight of European politics.
