2025-2 EU Society 6th Session November 06, 2025 > EU Society at KUGSIS

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The session titled “From Accession to Adoption: Bulgaria’s Path Towards Full European Integration,” presented by Victoria Tirefort, traced Bulgaria’s historical, political, and social journey toward deeper integration within the European Union. The presentation began with an overview of Bulgaria’s national profile, including its population, parliamentary system, capital city Sofia, and use of the Lev as its local currency. It then explored Bulgaria’s rich and complex history—from Thracian roots, Roman and Byzantine rule, the First Bulgarian Empire marked by the adoption of Christianity and the Cyrillic alphabet, through centuries of Ottoman rule, to independence and the turbulent periods of the World Wars. The session highlighted Bulgaria’s transition from a communist republic (1946–1989) to democracy following 1989, with the 1991 Constitution laying the foundation for European integration. Key milestones such as the European Agreement, NATO accession in 2004, and EU accession in 2007 were discussed, alongside ongoing challenges including discrimination, stigmatization, EU pressure, and delayed inclusion in the Schengen Area. Recent developments—partial Schengen accession in 2024, expected full accession in 2025, and the planned adoption of the Euro in January 2026—were presented as major steps toward full integration. The discussion also linked Bulgaria’s trajectory to multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 8, 9, 10, 16, and 17, emphasizing economic growth, reduced inequalities, strong institutions, and partnerships. 

In conclusion, the session illustrated that Bulgaria’s path toward full European integration is not only a political and economic process but also a social and identity-driven journey, marked by progress, challenges, and ongoing negotiations between national sovereignty and shared European values.

Discussion Questions:

• Can deeper European integration conflict with national identity or sovereignty, and how can this balance be maintained?

• How should the EU reconcile its expectations for minority protection and human rights with demands for stronger border controls, particularly in the context of the Roma community?