Bulgaria will push for Western Balkans’ EU integration

Subject

Bulgaria’s assumption of the EU presidency.

Significance

European Council President Donald Tusk and Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker used the official inauguration of Bulgaria’s six-month stint in the EU presidency to demonstrate support for Bulgaria and its Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, and thus deflect widespread scepticism and criticism of Bulgaria’s EU trajectory since accession in 2007. Their hosts responded by underlining their unflinching support for EU institutions and initiatives (notably on migration quotas), and playing up Bulgaria’s stabilising role regarding the Western Balkans and Turkey.

Impacts

• During its EU presidency, Bulgaria’s establishment will be most attentive to criticism coming from EU institutions and leading EU countries.
• The presidency will focus on showing Bulgaria in a positive light, while avoiding drawing attention to its reform deficit.
• Bulgaria's influence over problem areas and countries is limited and contingent on factors mostly beyond its control.