In brief
A European Commission–sponsored dialogue in Blagoevgrad on 26 February 2026 convened local youth and Members of the European Parliament to talk about European security. The event, attended by MEPs Andrey Novakov and Radan Kanev, highlighted the urgency of building consensus on security and the role of young voices in shaping future policy.
A European Commission–Representative Office in Bulgaria organized a discussion on European security in Blagoevgrad on 26 February 2026, bringing together local youth and two Members of the European Parliament.
MEPs Andrey Novakov of GERB/European People's Party and Radan Kanev of Democrats for Strong Bulgaria/European People's Party took part in the dialogue, titled "Navigating Security: Europe's Choices and Young People's Views," held at the Youth Centre in Blagoevgrad.
Kanev told reporters before the event that the meeting had been planned well in advance but had proved particularly timely, emphasizing that security was the most important topic to discuss with young people given the uncertainty of the world today and Bulgaria’s need to address major questions of peace and security for the next generation.
"Security is the most important topic to discuss with young people ... Bulgaria needs a new national consensus on security,"
He added that young people should help guide society’s thinking on how to address the most important risks and challenges together.
Novakov noted the hall was full on a weekday, stating that the turnout demonstrated young people’s deep interest in the subject and expressed that participants wanted to learn how Bulgaria could protect itself while still investing in its economy.
"The full hall on a weekday is evidence of young people's interest in the subject,"
European Commission head Teodor Stoychev, who moderated the meeting, said the EU is developing programmes and mechanisms to strengthen member states’ security and that the discussion was designed to capture the views of young people who are already becoming involved in decision‑making.
Krasimira Hadzhikoseva, head of the Europe Direct Blagoevgrad Centre, explained that security was chosen because it will shape all European policies in the years ahead and that the event was an opportunity to hear from the next generation of politicians, public officials, entrepreneurs and security professionals.
The dialogue, lasting about two hours, concluded with an acknowledgement that Bulgarian society must build consensus on security rather than allow the issue to become divisive.
