On Wednesday, 28 October 2026, the Youth Centre in Blagoevgrad became a gathering place for local youth and Members of the European Parliament to discuss European security, a meeting organized by the European Commission’s Representative Office in Bulgaria and the Europe Direct Blagoevgrad Centre.
MEPs Andrey Novakov (GERB/European People’s Party) and Radan Kanev (Democrats for Strong Bulgaria/European People’s Party) took the floor, underscoring how essential it is for Bulgaria to build a national consensus on security rather than allow the topic to become divisive. Kanev noted that the event, which had been planned well in advance, arrived at a critical moment given the uncertainty of the world today and the need to steer the next generation toward peace and stability.
Novakov highlighted the full attendance as evidence of young people’s keen interest in the subject. He reflected on the two‑hour dialogue’s emphasis on how Bulgaria could protect itself while pursuing economic investment, urging that younger citizens need continued meetings to grasp complex processes.
Teodor Stoychev, head of the European Commission’s Representative Office, described the EU’s development of programmes and mechanisms to strengthen Member States’ security. He stressed that the meeting’s objective was to listen to youth already involved in decision‑making, who will soon shape the country as politicians, public officials, entrepreneurs or security professionals.
Krasimira Hadzhikoseva, head of the Europe Direct Blagoevgrad Centre, said security had been chosen as the focus because “it will shape all European policies in the years ahead.” The discussion covered various dimensions of security, inviting young voices to guide societal thinking on the most pressing risks and challenges.
