03/12/2022

During an official visit to Brussels, Mr. Bozhidar Stanchev, Chairman of the National Union of Producer Cooperatives (NUPC), and Assoc. Prof. Vladislav Lazarov, Deputy Chairman, accompanied by Mr. Bozhidar Patinov—Minister Plenipotentiary and Head of the Office for Trade and Economic Affairs at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg—paid a working visit to the headquarters of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) and CECOP. Representing the ICA were Director-General Bruno Roelants and Director of Research Hyungsik Eum, while CECOP was represented by President Giuseppe Guerini and Membership Coordinator Francesca Zaganelli.
The meetings were characterized by constructive dialogue and mutual respect. Building upon established traditions—while also addressing contemporary challenges and current economic and political realities—the parties outlined their respective visions and laid the groundwork for a partnership adapted to the new, post-pandemic landscape. The hosts expressed interest in the initiatives proposed by the NUPC leadership and voiced their appreciation for the attention paid by the Bulgarian state—represented by Minister Plenipotentiary Patinov—to the specific issues and the overall system of cooperatives.
The Chairman of the NUPC extended invitations to attend the 11th European Forum of Social and Solidarity Economy Entities, to be held in 2023 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria; these invitations were accepted.