Albania passes the baton to Bulgaria to chair SEECP

On 16 June Bulgaria took over the rotating presidency of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), a regional forum it founded in Sofia in 1996. President Rumen Radev took the baton from Albanian President Bayram Begaj during a summit in Tirana, marking the start of Bulgaria’s stint from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.

This milestone coincides with the SEECP’s 30th anniversary in 2026, underscoring Bulgaria’s historic role in fostering stability, cooperation, and European integration in South-East Europe.

SEECP was launched in 1996 as an initiative of the then foreign minister Georgi Pirinski. At the Bulgaria-chaired meeting in Sofia, the Southeast Europe (SEE) countries laid the foundations for regional co-operation for the purposes of creating an atmosphere of trust, good neighbourly relations and stability.

As the region navigates complex geopolitical and economic challenges, Bulgaria’s declared intention is to reinvigorate the forum’s mission, leveraging its historical role as the SEECP’s architect.

The July 1996 meeting resulted in the Sofia Declaration on Good-Neighbourly Relations, Stability, Security, and Cooperation. Born in the aftermath of the Yugoslav wars, the forum was Bulgaria’s response to the region’s need for dialogue to rebuild trust, promote peace, and address shared challenges like political instability and economic recovery.

With 13 member states – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and Turkey – the SEECP remains a locally driven platform for cooperation, supported by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), formerly the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe. Its priorities include economic development, infrastructure, energy security, and human capital, all aimed at aligning the region with EU standards.

Bulgaria, having chaired the SEECP three times previously (1996-1997, 2007-2008, 2015-2016), ambitions to bring experience and a renewed focus to its fourth presidency.

At the Tirana summit, Radev outlined Bulgaria’s ambitious agenda, emphasising accelerated EU integration based on merit, economic growth, competitiveness, energy security, connectivity, and human capital development.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Begaj and North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, he highlighted the strategic importance of Transport Corridor No. 8, connecting Bulgaria, Albania, and North Macedonia.

“This corridor is not just infrastructure – it’s a symbol of cooperation, friendship, and shared progress,” Radev said, urging its swift completion to boost economic and security ties.

He also reaffirmed Bulgaria’s commitment to supporting Albania’s EU integration, praising its 2023 population census for meeting European standards.

The summit also spotlighted challenges in the EU integration process, particularly for North Macedonia. Siljanovska-Davkova expressed frustration over delays, criticising what she called the “bilateralization” of EU accession, where bilateral disputes impede progress.

“We are not just geographically European but historically and culturally so. Political integration is overdue,” she said, advocating for regional cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and digital connectivity to create a competitive regional market aligned with EU standards. She cited Bulgaria’s aid during the Kočani fire as an example of regional solidarity, urging such acts to become a foundation for stability rather than isolated gestures.

On 16 March 2025, a fire at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia, killed 62 people and injured 193. Bulgaria was the first country to offer support, with several victims receiving treatment in Bulgarian hospitals.

Radev responded by denying claims of a Bulgarian veto on North Macedonia’s EU path, pointing to the 2017 Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness, and Cooperation and the 2022 European consensus.

“Bulgaria has never imposed conditions beyond these agreements,” he said, emphasizing that North Macedonia’s challenges are internal, particularly regarding human rights and the rule of law.

“As a close neighbour, Bulgaria offers support to help North Macedonia meet the Copenhagen criteria swiftly,” Radev added.

Bulgaria’s presidency comes at a critical juncture. After years of political instability and repeated early elections, Bulgaria has a relatively stable coalition government. The country prepares to adopt the euro on 1 January, becoming the 21st eurozone member. The European Commission and ECB confirmed that the country meets all convergence criteria. However, public opinion is split: a May 2025 Eurobarometer shows 50% oppose the euro, citing fears of price hikes and political instability, while 43% support it. Radev, who nourishes political ambitions, has taken positions against Bulgaria’s eurozone accession in 2026.