Meeting with MEP Emil Radev at the headquarters of the National Council of Industrial Cooperatives

27/03/2025

EPP Member of the European Parliament Emil Radev visited the headquarters of the National Union of Worker-Producer Cooperatives (NUWPC) at the invitation of its Chairman, Assoc. Prof. Vladislav Lazarov, D.Sc. Emil Radev is serving his third consecutive term representing Bulgaria in the European Parliament; he is currently the Vice-Chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) and a member of both the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and the Committee on Petitions (PETI).

The meeting was attended by representatives of the National Union, cooperative chairpersons, and specialists working within the NUWPC system. They had the opportunity to learn about the key priorities of the current European Parliament term, as well as the specific focus of the Bulgarian representatives' work in Europe. Topics of discussion included the upcoming adoption of the euro, funding under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, and various opportunities available to cooperatives.

Assoc. Prof. Vladislav Lazarov, D.Sc., thanked Emil Radev for his commitment to the cause and for his consistent support of the Union’s initiatives. "This in-person meeting—taking place at such a complex and critical juncture for Bulgaria, Europe, and arguably the world—is a wonderful opportunity to reaffirm that our cause, mission, and work are recognized and are ultimately yielding results. The truth is that, no matter how resilient we may be, in these difficult times, we would find ourselves in a very precarious position without the support and goodwill of Bulgarian state leaders," said Assoc. Prof. Lazarov.
"When we stand united, the Bulgarian voice is heard in the European Parliament. I am very pleased that, during the previous term, we managed to achieve complete consensus on issues of vital importance to Bulgaria, such as Schengen. I am also glad to see you stepping onto the European stage with such confidence. I commend your initiatives, as cooperatives serve as a key pillar of the European economy. In today’s dynamic environment, they must not only withstand challenges but also embrace the new opportunities that arise," stated MEP Emil Radev.

The discussion explored the role of cooperatives in Europe’s economic and social transformation—highlighting them as a robust instrument for achieving sustainable growth—as well as potential visions for developing an innovative cooperative environment suited to new market conditions, and the adaptation of long-standing traditions to meet emerging prospects. The participants had the opportunity to share their concerns and ask questions, receiving competent answers and a commitment of support from the Bulgarian representative in the European Parliament.