Monika Panayotova, Member of Parliament from GERB: GERB showed, that there aren’t ours and yours in the party

15/07/10

So far there was a lack of moral in politics we are taking steps to build it. We will be active participants in the daily order of the European Union

- Miss Panayotova today (Editors note – yesterday) you were chosen as Chairperson of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds. What will be the priorities of your work?

- You know that, so far I haven’t been a member of this commission and because of this I will need a little time for adaptation. As a whole, the course, which is followed by the government, is to be an active participant in the daily order of the European Union. After the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty the role of the national parliaments is exceptionally important and this will be a challenge towards us, as members of parliament. Before the normative acts go for examination and voting in the resource commissions of the European Parliament, they will go through the national parliaments. So in the frame of a couple of weeks we will need to react with a standpoint. The other thing that the commission will be engaged actively, is regarding the control on the European funds. That is why the direct contact with the resource minister Mr. Tomislav Donchev is of exceptional importance. You know that the main targets in this direction are to accelerate payments, to be prepared many new projects, so that in practice the structural and cohesion fund can be used as an anti-crisis measure. After all it’s a question of fresh money and we need to do everything possible, so that they can go into our economy. Particularly now in a period of a crisis, from another side, it is very dynamical, which is happening in Brussels. You know that the foreign policy and the policy for security, is being reorganized after the Lisbon Treaty. So we will have a lot of work, also with the Foreign Policy and Defence Committee. Now is the moment, because from one side the new conception for NATO is being prepared, and from another the new changes for the European policy for security and defence are being introduced. You know that ¾ of the member countries of NATO are members of the European Union, that’s why we will be having joint actions with the resource commission in this direction. It is very important to work as a team, to have coordination and good synchronization with our representatives in the European Parliament, as well, because the area is exceptionally dynamical. There are a lot of changes in Brussels and the active participation of Bulgaria is important.

- As a main drawback was pointed the tempo of assimilation of the European money. Are the things being cleared in this direction?

- Yes. Definitely there is progress with the creation of the position of Mr. Donchev. If a comparison is made, during July 2009 we had payments for 0.67%, while now they are 4.6%. The difference is tangible. The target, which we set forth, is there to be payments between 10% and 11%, which according to the LOTHAR system for accounting of the financial progress of these programs is an achievement. Control over the assimilation must be achieved. Definitely now, there is a change in communication with Brussels. This which we are headed towards is there to be complete transparency and things getting done during direct dialogue. Only in this way will the possibilities for the “unpleasant surprise” effect be eliminated, which we have been witnesses of during the past government. Because of that our country had a negative image. That’s why my appeal to the representatives of the socialists in the European Parliament is for them to be representatives of Bulgaria, and to highlight on the national, rather then the party interest. The image of our country is exceptionally important. Nothing can happen, when you don’t have the mark “Bulgaria”.

- Can a law for lobbyism have a positive effect in this direction?

- Yes, I definitely support the creation of such a law. Even before I became a member of GERB, I was in a non-government organisation and there we worked on projects, connected with lobbyism. But according to me at the moment publicly the term lobbyism is interpreted in a not correct way. Lobbyism is characteristic for all democratic countries. When we speak for lobbyism in the positive manner, it needs to be regulated with a law and be legitimate. This means to be connected with the ethical codex and civil control being asserted on lobbyism. And not in the last place – it needs to be exceptionally transparent. When these three things are not fulfilled, then we are not talking about lobbyism, but for corruption. And you know that a main priority for us, as governing is the fight against corruption. That’s why a law for lobbyism on its own is a necessity, but it is not enough. Everything depends on the members of parliament and on inside control.

- How do you assess the legislative activity of this parliament one year into the government of GERB?

- I think we achieved many things in connection for this National Assembly to be regarded as a more responsible institution. According to me there is a great progress regarding discipline of behavior of work in the commissions. Of course the effect can never be 100%, but at least there is a will for that. Now there is striving for a new type of behavior in parliament. Regarding the normative acts the good thing is that everything is happening in exceptional transparency. This, which GERB is doing, is a precedent. Never before have things happened so openly which, creates a delicate atmosphere. Now everyone knows that every action is watched and when you are not playing by the rules, you are sanctioned. We can not account that also in the sphere of defence, inner order and security and education, there have been really reforming laws, which created the normative frame which allowed for the changes in those spheres. In the end the normative act is a starting point for every single thing.

- Which bills remain priorities for the National Assembly?

- A priority is to pass the election codex, because this is an engagement even in our election campaign. We want to end the vice practice for the changes to occur at 12 without 5. In that way the rules will be the same for everyone and we can follow them.

-Have the scandals around GERB during the past couple of weeks and the followed resignations had a negative effect on the party?

- According to me what happened had a rather healing effect. The leadership showed clearly, that there are no ours and yours in the party. There are clear rules and when you don’t follow them, you are sanctioned. The term “new moral” has already turned into a cliché, because I have already said before that there is no new moral. The reason is that so far there was no such in politic and we are taking steps to build it. Till now moral and politics have always been mutually incompatible. We showed that we have a completely different type of behaviour and that we are not doing PR actions. Now there are principles during politic.

- Did GERB really put an end to the vice practice of the placement of political umbrellas?

- I think so. Our actions show that. That’s why I say that this is a precedent. I don’t think that any of the past governing could deny it. You know in what state the country was left in. These unfulfilled contracts for around 2 billion Bulgarian levs, the abuses which were committed… And you see, that the people, who are responsible for all of this, at the moment are members of parliament. Even their own party is not distancing from them.

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Business card
She was born on the 19th of August 1983 in Sofia. She graduates International Economic Relations in the University of National and World Economy with a specialization in “International Project Management”. She is the Chairwoman of MGERB. She was the director of “Projects connected with Society”, in the Economical Policy Institute until 2008. She is chosen as Chairperson of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds.


An interview made by Yana Jordanova for Monitor Newspaper

Monika Panayotova: Lobbyism is not untypical for democratic countries, but needs to be regulated

14/07/10

Lobbyism is not untypical for democratic countries, but it needs to be regulated, it needs to be legitimate, i.e. to have double control – from the side of parliament and from the side of the civil society. That’s what was said in the halls of parliament by the newly elected Chairperson of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds – Monika Panayotova. When lobbyism is not regulated, we speak about corruption. That’s why the next challenge for our parliament will be to create a law for lobbyism and to head out of this etiquette “lobbyism”, because everything is lobbyism on its own, but it needs to be regulated, so it can be transparent, stated Panayotova.

Regarding her new position Panayotova said: “On principle I am a team player, so I will continue to work with a team. This is exceptionally important for me. The commission is exceptionally responsible. After the Lisbon Treaty it will be a big challenge for us as a national parliament to manage to use, that the role of the national parliaments is increasing vastly. We already have an active role in the forging of the EU legislation, so that will be a priority of the adaptation of the work of the National Assembly to the expectations of the Lisbon Treaty”.

She added that she will work in close cooperation with the Minister charged of EU funds management – Tomislav Donchev. Our main priorities are to accelerate the payments and to prepare new projects, so that the resources can be used as an anti-crisis measure which are on the structural and the cohesion fund, said she.

I will give everything, which depends on me, she stated.

Source: "Focus” Agency

A representative of MGERB took part in the third module of the regional program of the Bulgarian School of Politics for 2009/2010 which took place in

21/06/10

The third and last module of the regional program of the Bulgarian School of Politics for 2009/2010 took place from the 17th of June to the 20th of June in Sofia, Bulgaria. The title of the module was “Youth policies and perspectives for regional cooperation on the Balkans”. Youths from Bulgaria, Croatia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro participated. Among the participants were representatives of the youth organisations of the main political parties of the corresponding countries, as well as representatives of the media and non-government organisations. MGERB was represented by Deyan Nikolov – Member of MGERB Sofia.

The module included lections on the following topics: “The Balkans as a web of well governed countries”; “Enlargement of the European Union and integration – opportunities and perspectives for the future”; “Bologna Process – the actual realisation in the Balkan countries up to 2010”; “Freedom of mobility and possible measures of the government for reversing the “flow of brains” and “Intercession and lobbying, as tools for building policies: Practical solutions for the Balkan policy”.

Lecturers were Ambassador: H.E. Mr. Geoffrey Keating – Ambassador of Ireland in Bulgaria, Mr. Svetoslav Malinov – Member of European Parliament, Mr. Zenan Sabanac – lecturer from the Faculty of Science and Mathematics of the University of Sarajevo and Prof. Atanas Gotchev from the department of International Relations of the University of National and World Economy.

During the whole course of the training the participants had the opportunity to work in small groups, to sharpen their ability to work in a team, for creating a plan for solving a specified problem and defending the position of a specific group of the society.

In the end of the module the participants reached a conclusion regarding the final version of the created by them project for a White Book for the youth policies on the Balkans. In the upcoming weeks the Bulgarian School of Politics is scheduled to send this document to institutions, establishments and political parties in all of the countries, which were represented in the Regional program. The White Book contains specific recommendations for the development of youth policies, based on the experience of the different countries on the Balkans.

The regional program of the Bulgarian School of Politics for 2009/2010 was closed with an official ceremony in New Bulgarian University, which was attended by Mrs. Irina Alexieva and the rector of the university Prof. Liudmil Georgiev, the participants received their certificates for the successful completion of the program personally from Mr. Georgi Pirinski – Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

Successful start of the initiative “Open your heart” of MGERB Sofia

20/06/10

On the 19th of June MGERB Sofia started successfully its initiative “Open your heart” with a donation to the home for children without parents “Hristo Botev” in Novo Selo, Vidin region. During their visit, the youths gave the kids clothes, books and toys, collected for over a month. Every child received treats.

The target of the young initiators is to turn “Open your heart” into a practice, gathering as many followers. In the frame of two weeks the formed group in Facebook called “Open your heart”, has gathered around 900 members. After this successful start and the joy in the children’s eyes the organisers are impatient to visit the next social institution.

The organisers of the initiative are MGERB Sofia. The initiative is supported by MGERB Vidin, Entrepreneurs GERB Sofia, GERB Lozenets – Sofia, GERB Oborishte – Sofia, members of parliament from the 41st National Assembly – Monika Panayotova – Chairwoman of MGERB and Lyubomila Stanislavova – Coordinator of MGERB Vidin, Mr. Kalin Kamenov – Deputy Chairman of the National Agency for the Protection of Children and municipal councillors from the Sofia Municipal Council in the face of Mr. Ivan Iliev and many other people with good hearts.

MGERB attended a National Youth Meeting

14/06/10


The third national youth meeting “Youth Employment” took place in the beach resort Sunny Day, near Varna from the 9th of June 2010 to the 13th of June 2010.

The meeting is part of the cycle of consultations being upheld in all of the European countries regarding the priorities of the Spanish presidency of the European Union. Over 190 participants and guests discussed youth entrepreneurship, career development, education, the rights and duties regarding work employment and youth policies for employment, which will be included in the national report of our country, offering specific measures, which need to be undertaken.

Guests of the meeting were Petya Evtimova – Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Science; Finn Denstad – Representative of the European Commission; Xenia Constantinou – Vice President of the European Youth Forum; Monika Panayotova – Chairwoman of MGERB and Member of Parliament in the 41st National Assembly; Joanna Dochevska – Coordinator of MGERB Sofia and part of the Initiative Committee for the creation of a National Youth Forum; representatives of the national youth forums of Great Britain, Spain, Croatia and Lithuania. Representatives of the European Youth Forum were also present at the meeting.

Representatives of the European Commission, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science and youths – initiators for the creation of a National Youth Forum, also discussed the creation of a youth platform, uniting the youth organisations for leading effective youth policies.

The National youth meeting ended with a National youth exhibition, which is held for the 7th time and gathers the most active youth organisations in Bulgaria. MGERB was represented at the exhibition with its own stand, which was attended by many youths to receive information about initiatives and events of the organisation.

MGERB took part in an International Youth Forum, organised in New Bulgarian University

31/05/10

The International Youth Forum regarding the forthcoming formation of a National Youth Council in Bulgaria was held on the 31st of May 2010 in New Bulgarian University and MGERB participated.

During the forum the experience of France concerning the creation and functionality of youth policy was presented. Representatives of the Ministry of Youth Affairs of France, the International Council of Francophone Youth, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria and experts to the European Commission presented their conclusions about successful youth policy.

The target of the forum was:
• The Ministry of Education, Youth and Science, in fulfillment with the stated priorities for youth policy in the Program for European Development of Bulgaria to give support to the youth non-government organisations and political organisations, so they can exchange experience with their European, in particular French colleagues regarding the creation of a National Youth Council in Bulgaria;
• Presentation of the French experience, through real examples for successful youth policies in the youth sphere, realised by the suggestions of the young;
• Presentation of good European practices in the formation of youth policy;
• Presentation of the accomplished by the Initiative Committee, formed in March 2010, in cooperation with the European Youth Forum of youth non-government and political organisations for the creation of a National Youth Council in Bulgaria.
• Encouragement of the maximum number of youth organisations to participate in the upcoming formation of a National Youth Council in Bulgaria in the end of the year.

The forum was attended by Petya Evtimova – Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Science, Monika Panayotova – Chairwoman of MGERB and Member of Parliament in the 41st National Assembly, Irena Sokolova – Member of Parliament in the 41st National Assembly and Member of the Education, Science, Children, Youth and Sports Committee, Joanna Dochevska – Coordinator of MGERB Sofia and Member of the Initiative Committee for the creation of a National Youth Council in Bulgaria.

MGERB took part in the annual congress of the Youth Organisation of the Justice and Development Party

17/05/10

Hristo Gadzhev (International Secretary of MGERB) and Pavel Anastasov (MGERB – Sofia) took part in the ninth annual festival of the Youth Organisation of the Justice and Development Party in Turkey. It was held between the 13th and the 16th of May in İzmir and Istanbul, and it was attended by international representatives from 25 countries from Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

During the first two days the participants had the opportunity to visit Istanbul – The European Capital of Culture for 2010. There they familiarised themselves with the traditions of the country and managed to discuss questions connected with the development of the region and the relations with the Muslim world. In Istanbul the delegation was welcomed by local members of parliament and representatives of the local organisation of the Justice and Development Party. Special greetings were made by the Mayer of Istanbul - Kadir Topbaş.

After that the participants headed in the direction of İzmir, where on the 16th of May the annual youth festival of the Justice and Development Party took place, under the patronage of the Leader of the Justice and Development Party and Prime Minister of Turkey – Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. There in the sport hall of the town approximately 10 000 youths from all over the country gathered to spend the day together, in anticipation for the speech of the prime minister, famous Turkish singers took care for their good spirit.

In his speech Mr. Erdoğan highlighted the importance of youth in the future development of the country and the measures, which need to be taken in order to prevent immigration among the young. Giving the real chance for young people to participate in the governance of the countries policies is the main engine in youth activity, stated Mr. Erdoğan, basing on his own experience, entering politics in a young age. Investing in infrastructure, as well as the creation of specific conditions for investment, is the main tool, according to him for keeping the young Turkish in their country. In this way for 8 years Turkey has climbed to the 16th biggest economy in the world and the 6th in Europe.