Stanislav STOYANOV

Policy topics Stanislav STOYANOV is active on

What Stanislav STOYANOV has said (31)

• 2025-11-07 “E-004417/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is seeking clarification from the Bulgarian authorities regarding the export ban on certain petroleum products and will continue to engage with them to ensure compliance with EU law. Restrictions of free movement of goods in the Single Market could be justified for the reasons set out in Article 36 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU 1 or for one of the reasons of public interest recognised by the case-law of the EU Courts. The burden of proving justification rests on the Member State. Those restrictions however cannot constitute a means of arbitrary discrimination or disguised restriction of trade between Member States. Moreover, the Member State must demonstrate the proportionality of the restriction. In light of the information provided by the Bulgarian Authorities, the Commission will consider the most appropriate course of action to uphold the principle of free movement of goods within the internal market. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:12016E036.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• 2024-10-09 “E-002002/2024 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission Russia’s actions in and around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) pose serious and direct threats to the safety and security of the nuclear facility, its operating staff, the surrounding area, and wider region. The EU attaches great importance to global nuclear safety and security and supports the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in this context. Russia bears the full responsibility for its continuing nuclear threats in the context of its war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU position in relation to the ZNPP remains clear: Russia must immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders and hand back full control of the ZNPP to the competent Ukrainian authorities. This position is consistent with the President of Ukraine’s peace formula on nuclear safety, and in line with the United Nations (UN) General Assembly resolution on the safety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine 1 and the IAEA Board of Governors’ resolution calling for Russia to withdraw from ZNPP 2 . The EU supports the IAEA’s continued presence at Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, the IAEA Director General’s seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security in armed conflict and the five principles to avoid a nuclear accident at ZNPP 3 . IAEA experts must have unrestricted and timely access to all locations to monitor implementation. As regards the European Peace Facility, the use of military equipment provided by Member States to Ukraine is intended to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression, in line with international law and notably the UN Charter 4 . The EU is not aware of any Ukrainian attacks on nuclear power plants. 1 https://undocs.org/Home/Mobile?FinalSymbol=A%2F78%2FL.90&Language=E&DeviceType=Desktop&Lan gRequested=False 2 https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/documents/gov2024-18.pdf 3 https://www.iaea.org/statements/iaea-director-general-statement-to-united-nations-security-council-25-january2024 4 https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter”
  EU-Ukraine relations · Disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons · Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “Thank you. The Draghi report is an admission of failure. The European Union is to blame for losing its competitiveness because of centralised decisions that are so far away from reality. And the most recent decisions exacerbate all the types of crises, including the demographic crisis. Regions in Bulgaria look like post war, devastated, depopulated areas and these demographic Demographic changes are irreversible. We need simplification, affordable energy and support to national economies. Competitiveness means food prices, energy prices, everyday life for ordinary citizens. Remember that.”
  EU political integration
• “Thank you, Madam Vice President. Commissioner. The Free Trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur provides economic opportunities for the EU. But that can have catastrophic consequences for our agriculture. There is lack of transparency on the process of ratification as well as on the on the safeguards envisaged by the European Commission. €1 billion were mentioned, but it is not clear where this money will be sourced from or whether it will be enough. It is not clear either whether this fund will be founded now, already, or after the agreement enters into force. I am afraid that the money will not reach the ones who need it, or that when it reaches them, it will be too late. It will also involve a complicated and bureaucratic process to fund the ones damaged. Let us not betray our producers once again.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Thank you. Chair. I continue in Bulgarian. The form that the new cap has been acquiring is a cause for serious concern, and the European Court of Auditors is quite clear in its message. The reform risks weakening of the common policy and of its effectiveness. And I fully share the concerns relating to administrative complexity being shifted on to national systems. The lack of transparency regarding the distribution of funds, and not not least, the abolition of the two pillar structure and the farmers have warned us about all this and more than once. And the Court of Auditors analysis is yet another confirmation of of these, uh, concerns. Uh, the equal footing among member states is being lost. And this threatens ineffectiveness and distortions. And in the context that we live today of rather volatile markets, uh, farmers need stability and predictability. Moreover, the free trade agreements that will open up the market to imports that do not comply with our standards. We need safeguards against these things and the cap used to provide them more or less. But what is in the pipeline now does not promise that certainty, uh, income security and stability for European farmers that would ensure they stay competitive worldwide. Thank you.”
  Agriculture (green)
• “Thank you for this question. My opinion is that Bulgaria was not prepared and entered the euro zone too early, and I expect social inequalities will grow. I don't see us joining the euro as a competitive advantage for Bulgaria in respect to countries like Poland, who have their own monetary resource they can use as they see fit. Thank you for your question.”
  European Banking Union
• “Thank you, Madam President. The crisis in the Middle East has shown us again how vulnerable is the EU as a result of perennial short sighted and ideologically motivated decision making. High energy prices are strangling our industry's price spikes, and unavailability of fertilizers are putting our farmers under pressure. There are very few countries exporters of energy and fertilizers. Some are near active war zones. Others are in tense relations with the EU. There is a real risk of shrinking yields and further increase in food prices. This crisis should be overcome, and the best option would probably targeted support for farmers to help them purchase already expensive European fertilizers. These funds, however, will come from the taxpayer's pockets. Again, they will foot the bill. It's important that the EU taxpayers money should stay in the European economy. It's high time for common sense. Thank you.”
  Use of fertilisers
• “Thank you very much. I'll make my comments in Bulgarian. I can agree with what the rapporteur has said. It's true that North Macedonia would miss a good opportunity with regard to the. Missing results. Now, if you look at Albania, well there the results have come about and I think the population in the country has been waiting very long. I'm sure they are growing tired. Yes, but the political elite does not seem to be tired. And so there. This shows that the political commitment is not being met. It's a great shame. So this all means that we could be not waiting two decades, but maybe 120 years for progress to be made. So I think the negotiations with North Macedonia in the past were difficult. We didn't see any changes to the constitutions that had been agreed. There's a lack of political will. To really. Move along with the process that was negotiated with Bulgaria. And I think that's a clear foundation, a clear basis for progress. There's no fight against discrimination. North Macedonia needs to guarantee the freedoms of all its ethnic minorities. Now the media are showing that there is a lack of trust or eight is also very important, not just for economic development, but also for building trust amongst neighbours. The deadlines should be and must be met. Corridor eight must be supported at the highest level. Extension. Uh, should become really a consequence of progress that's been made. I think it's only right to expect North Macedonia to meet its obligations, as, uh, has been the case for its neighbors in the Western Balkans. That's really the key. There shouldn't be some kind of compromise whereby we accept some sort of, um, lesser form of EU membership. I don't think that would be setting the right precedent and the right basis. Thank you very much.”
  EU relations with Western Balkans
• “In recent years. Albania made significant progress especially when it comes to the national minorities. And those policies are a good example in that region. It should encourage other candidate countries to take the same approach. But there are a few other points. There aren't enough measures being taken to tackle organized crime and corruption, and we don't know exactly how the EU taxpayers money is being used. Then there are infrastructure projects and there is investment in the West Balkans. These are very important resources. We welcome what is being done in connection with transport corridor number eight. And I would like to ask. The commission to look at the work that's being done for the minorities. It's important for Albania and it's important for the West Balkans. We welcome what the Albanian representative said during the mission earlier this month, and they said that the accession needs to be earned. Thank you.”
  EU relations with Western Balkans
• “(11:07:28 – 11:08:48): you, president. The single market is 1 of the most remarkable achievements of the EU, but no less remarkable is the fact that this huge market, Europe, is losing industrial capacity, investment, and economic weight as Asian and American economies grow. We need less ideology and more pragmatism. We need a clear strategy for competitiveness industry and innovation. Without a strong economy, we condemn Europeans to a low standard of living. European businesses need something very simple, security and predictability. Instead, the business has received endless regulation and ever changing rules for years. The burden is not the same for everyone. Small businesses spend more time filling out documents than manufacturing and investing. Large co corporations can afford armies of consultants. European capital must serve European economy, industry, and technology. It is time for the European Union to put competitiveness, production, and economic growth back at the heart of its policy. Thank you. The next speaker is Erne Charle Baross.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you very much, Mrs. President. Mrs. von der Leyen. The EU is in decline. A demographic crisis, a economic recession, unbridled migration, lack of innovation, diplomatic unsustainability. This is but a few of the problems that we have. But the commission is creating new problems. The migration policy is detrimental to the member states. Our reaction to the pandemic, the experiments with the Green Deal, the fiasco when it comes to rearmament, Europe belongs to citizens. They need to be at the centre of each and every strategy. Your policies are a threat to the European civilization. The freedom of expression is today being threatened if everyone who thinks differently is dubbed as an extremist. But we're not extremists. We defend our states, our peoples, our families. You are the extremist because you have put Europe on the road to war, and you do nothing for our prosperity.”
  EU political integration
• “I will speak on behalf of Yvonne. David. We are really concerned pollinators do disappear in many regions of Europe, and the centuries old traditions are lost. Skills are lost alongside the unregulated Use of pesticides, including prohibited substances, requires immediate control, strict control, and it is very important to ask this question is the European Commission ready to put in place a single, well-regulated system of controls for unregulated use of pesticides in EU? And is it ready to support beekeepers and other farmers in their transition to more sustainable practices? Such practices could be developed hand in hand with beekeepers organizations. Uh, we should support farmers in meeting their unbearable costs. We should provide them with alternatives to the current plant protection products. Farmers cannot be left without solutions. A sustainable transition requires a genuine choice of working well functioning instruments, so the protection of pollinators must be combined with the protection of nature and with genuine support for farmers. Thank you.”
  EU policy on pesticides
• “Thank you chair. I will speak in Bulgarian. So the purpose of organic farming is to protect biodiversity, soil and water, to support sustainable development, provide jobs and growth in countries like Bulgaria. However, the share of organic farming is rather low and that has its causes in consumer confidence, in the administrative burden on farmers, lack of awareness and incentives. Distribution chains that are way too long. So these are the areas which we must address if we are to promote organic farming. And the Commission's amendments must be targeted their sustainability, competitiveness, predictability for the sector, clarity of rules, fair conditions and a stable development framework. With regard to imports, I support what others have said here already. We must first look into our own European output potential before we open up to imports from third countries.”
  Agriculture (green)
• “Thank you, Madam Vice President. Commissioner. As for the protection of air passengers, this should be our prime objective. Probably there are good reasons for the four hour threshold, but we should not take the issue lightly. We should not damage passengers. Let us also think of the general concept. Air carriers often delay the payment of compensation for days, even for weeks, despite the current rules. Passengers are not always well informed about their compensation, their right to compensation. The price building of tickets is not transparent enough. It must be clear what is comprised in the price of a ticket, particularly with regard to hand luggage. As for refundable travel vouchers that should replace compensation, I do not think that this is the right solution. We should protect the rights of air passengers who do not travel just for pleasure. We should not miss the opportunity to achieve results that are in favour of all our citizens.”
  EU policy on aviation safety
• “40:09 – 15:42:14): Thank you Chairman Madam Kalas. I was speaking Bulgaria. Madame Kallas, in November 24 here in this committee you opened up your hearing with the words freedom, choice, independence, etcetera, promising to strengthen the Union's positions on the world stage, making sure that we're always at the negotiation table in various forms of partnership. Today, however, the reality is rather different. The European Union is not present in key negotiations on Ukraine or the Middle East. In 2024, you promised good relations with our biggest ally, the United States. Now you've just told us that the United States don't like us anymore and would like to sow divisions amongst us. So I mean your ideas become increasingly abstract, I'm afraid. It's all sweet talk but problems abound and there are no solutions in sight. A lot of inconsistency. On the one hand, the Union speaks of clamping down on illegal immigration and then border protection and so on. On the other hand, it would invite workers from third countries and for many member states that would represent unfair competition on the labor market by European. Another initiative, it is difficult to reconcile with Mercosur, for example. And last but not least, we should think more of our taxpayers rather than make them pay for all our wins, you know, such as joint defense and so on. Our security will be preserved if we stick to our democratic principles and do not encroach on the sovereignty of member states. Thank you.”
  EU foreign policy approach
• “Thank you. In 2017, in Bulgaria, we had a horrible epidemic of Lyme disease. Many animals had to be slaughtered. And this led to catastrophic consequences. I would say that in many cases the damage was irreversible. What were the reasons vaccination was delayed? Or in some places it didn't happen. We see that this threat is now all over Europe combined with small ruminants problems. So we need decisive action. We cannot repeat previous mistakes. The livelihood of our farmers depends on this. This is why we insist on a derogation. Bulgaria should be able to use vaccination against this disease because vaccination is the best possible instrument against such diseases, and this will certainly contribute to food security in Europe. We need this irrigation so that Bulgaria and other member states will be able to protect their farming and economy.”
  Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU
• “Thank you. President, Commissioner. Farmers throughout Europe are under huge pressures. They're dealing with new jobs that they have to do. Then more instability on the market. And what we have at the moment then creates unfair trading practices with countries that have much lower production standards. This is something that's very difficult to understand with what we have at the moment. Commission then farming is is really suffering in Europe. That means that rural areas are deteriorating. The cap that's been put forward at the moment is actually going to worsen this crisis. Farmers need to be allowed to still sell their products on the market, but all but they're constantly being restricted. Europe is is leaving farmers to their own devices. It's hanging them out to dry. And without them, we don't have Europe.”
  Agriculture (green)
• “Thank you, Madam President. Wine producing is hard work and the added value is high. As a child, I remember that almost every Bulgarian family produced their own wine. However, today the production is reducing and whole regions are losing livelihood for the people there. The reducing of administrative burden and effective support for experts could provide a good chance for many producers. The sector cannot be subordinated to the interests only of big producers. In some European countries, the problem is not so much about the excess production, but lack of economic perspective. That's why it is necessary to ensure effective, accessible and administratively simplified support. Europe needs to preserve its diversity and to ensure real support to farmers and producers.”
  Agricultural funding
• “Thank you chair. I will continue in Bulgarian. I will start by saying that stable peace and security cannot be achieved without diplomacy and multilateral cooperation. The mobility report has to do with the movement of armies and military forces through the European Union, and this raises concerns. This will lead to restriction of national sovereignty and the military. Schengen will change the nature of the European Union, making it a military union. We are against this militarisation of the European Union, and we would not like to see the divergence of important funds for other purposes to military purposes. We need to assess the risks, and we need to hold on to our national competences for defence. The positive aspect of this report is that it will lead to the improvement of key infrastructure and the connectivity of rural areas. This would lead to significant economic benefits for European citizens outside of the military use of this infrastructure.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Thank you. The tragedy said Adama's and took lives and plunged many families into grief. These accidents remind us that railway safety is not a given. It requires constant vigilance, investment and responsible management. Reliable infrastructure and effective safety control mechanisms are vital for the sector. There are still networks in Europe that urgently need to be upgraded to provide safe and reliable connections for citizens and businesses like the commissioner said, in countries like Bulgaria and Slovakia, uh, incidents can happen any time. Uh, that is why the EU should not, uh, remain just a project. Uh, concrete action is needed to reduce the disparities in infrastructure between the member states. The ertms is an important step in this direction. Let us honor the memory of the victims with responsible decisions and real actions to ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.”
  EU support of rail transport
• “Thank you. Chair. Madam Commissioner, this summer the devastating wildfires in Europe were catastrophic. Countries like Bulgaria have not yet controlled them. Uh, as of today, over 1 million hectares have been burned down. This is the greatest, uh, the worst disaster since 2006. Mobilizing the civil protection is important, but it's not enough. It's not sufficient. We need the equipment and a stronger national capacity. The commission should should follow the spending of the funds so that there is progress. And the countries can effectively protect their nature and citizens. We cannot afford to be unprepared in the face of calamities that befell us each year, which devastate cities, countries and farmland annually.”
  Nature protection and restoration in the EU
• “Thank you. Madam president, the EU-China summit is an opportunity for us to prove that in this divided world, dialogue is still the strongest instrument to address the divisions. The European Union and China are two leading economies of a joint share of more than 36% in the global GDP In 2024. Yes, there are divisions and differences, but there are solutions to all problems. We need to advance our relations with China and we should not overlook that. Today, where a war is raging in Europe, we need sustainable partnerships and reasonable dialogue. No sanctions will resolve the issues over the last two years. 50 billion of exports from Europe to China has been affected and our companies are losing their shares. Europe is still dependent on strategic exports of rare earth elements and other components. The disconnection of these flows will lead to even greater challenges. What is the solution? A dialogue and a true cooperation with the Great Powers. This is the way for us to guarantee economic growth for Europe. Thank you.”
  EU-China relations
• “In recent years. Albania made significant progress especially when it comes to the national minorities. And those policies are a good example in that region. It should encourage other candidate countries to take the same approach. But there are a few other points. There aren't enough measures being taken to tackle organized crime and corruption, and we don't know exactly how the EU taxpayers money is being used. Then there are infrastructure projects and there is investment in the West Balkans. These are very important resources. We welcome what is being done in connection with transport corridor number eight. And I would like to ask. The commission to look at the work that's being done for the minorities. It's important for Albania and it's important for the West Balkans. We welcome what the Albanian representative said during the mission earlier this month, and they said that the accession needs to be earned. Thank you.”
  EU enlargement
• “Thank you. Chair. I will speak in Bulgarian. Allow me to first and foremost wish all the best of success to the new executive director of Ara. The contrast in the development of the rail transport in Europe is great. Unfortunately, in some countries over the past years, we even witnessed the devastation and destruction of the infrastructure, which means that transport is shifted to road transport, for example. At the same time, billions have been invested to support the Green Pact. However, the rail seems to be waiting rusting. My question is what should the EU do towards countries who do not develop their rail transport? Then second question when some connections are pending to be finished, how can we overcome that problem? Thank you.”
  EU support of rail transport
• “Thank you president. The single market is one of the most remarkable achievements of the EU. But no less remarkable is the fact that this huge market, Europe, is losing industrial capacity, investment and economic weight as Asian and American economies grow. We need less ideology and more pragmatism. We need a clear strategy for competitiveness, industry and innovation. Without a strong economy, we condemn Europeans to a low standard of living. European businesses need something very simple security and predictability. Instead, the business has received endless regulation and ever changing rules for years, the burden is not the same for everyone. Small businesses spend more time filling out documents than manufacturing and investing. Large corporations can afford armies of consultants. European capital must serve European economy, industry and technology. It is time for the European Union to put competitiveness, protection and economic growth back at the heart of its policy. Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you very much. I'll make my comments in Bulgarian. I can agree with what the rapporteur has said. It's true that North Macedonia would miss a good opportunity with regard to the. Missing results. Now, if you look at Albania, well there the results have come about and I think the population in the country has been waiting very long. I'm sure they are growing tired. Yes, but the political elite does not seem to be tired. And so there. This shows that the political commitment is not being met. It's a great shame. So this all means that we could be not waiting two decades, but maybe 120 years for progress to be made. So I think the negotiations with North Macedonia in the past were difficult. We didn't see any changes to the constitutions that had been agreed. There's a lack of political will. To really. Move along with the process that was negotiated with Bulgaria. And I think that's a clear foundation, a clear basis for progress. There's no fight against discrimination. North Macedonia needs to guarantee the freedoms of all its ethnic minorities. Now the media are showing that there is a lack of trust or eight is also very important, not just for economic development, but also for building trust amongst neighbours. The deadlines should be and must be met. Corridor eight must be supported at the highest level. Extension. Uh, should become really a consequence of progress that's been made. I think it's only right to expect North Macedonia to meet its obligations, as, uh, has been the case for its neighbors in the Western Balkans. That's really the key. There shouldn't be some kind of compromise whereby we accept some sort of, um, lesser form of EU membership. I don't think that would be setting the right precedent and the right basis. Thank you very much.”
  EU enlargement
• “Thank you. Commissioner. Uh, your proposal from July is, uh, disappointing. The cap after 2027 needs to remain strong and autonomous, and it should not be part of a single fund. In this way, only we will be able to preserve the competitiveness of the European farmers because it's being threatened for countries like Bulgaria, but not only. It is very important that the cap will be stable and predictable. We need support for all subsectors and we need to support, uh, the mountainous areas and the rural areas. We need to preserve the two pillars. We need simplified administration and not over bureaucracy. You don't have the right strategy. And the rural areas are facing many challenges, and they need solutions. We need young farmers in the sector and we need real simplification. I welcome your wish to have a constructive dialogue. We need measures to support the competitiveness of the European agriculture, because the world is becoming more and more globalized, and more and more third countries have access to the European market. We need to protect our sector. Thank you.”
  Agricultural funding
• “Mr.. India. Chair. Commissioner. India is one of the main global players. They are pragmatic in their external policy. They have their best. They have the best interest of their citizens at heart. They have an open dialogue with everybody, with Russia, with China. They keep on, uh, being modernized. They have huge infrastructure projects that create opportunities for European companies. The cooperation in digital technologies, in pharmaceutical, in the pharmaceutical industry and other sectors could help us have new opportunities. Our new agreement could provide a lot of opportunities if we are equal partners. They have a lot of their strengths stemming from their cultural and religious background, and this is our most valuable lesson there. We should not lecture other people. We should respect our own roots and our Christian values.”
  EU-India relations
• “Thank you, Madam President. The European Council's decision to grant €90 billion to Ukraine as a loan will have serious, long term financial implications. It means less money for key European policies and a greater burden on member states. But it is not merely a financial problem. It is an approach that leaves no room for active diplomacy and prolongs the conflict when diplomacy is silent and weapons are allowed to speak. The result is human life lost. Enlargement, on the other hand, is a responsible long term commitment, and when it is reduced to a mere political signal, its credibility is undermined. A real positive signal would be the forward looking solution defending European interest, Europe's interest in the global stage. We insist on responding to the challenges by diplomacy, by acting upon our words. Thank you.”
  EU-Ukraine relations
• “Thank you. President. The Ten three network is key to our economies and cultures. It is a strategic network. The European Union needs a single approach. Fragmenting the plans to develop the network in the name of military use will deepen the differences and disparities between the regions. The development of ten-t must prioritise the comfortable movement of passengers and not to prioritise movement of the military investment best. Better governance and integration of transport systems. This is the key to a peaceful and prosperous Europe. The priorities will improve the development of the sector. Thank you very much.”
  EU transport infrastructure integration
• “Thank you. President. Affordable energy means cheap energy and the cheapest today are coal and nuclear. And instead of rejecting them under the spell of ideological dogma, we must regard them as key for our energy security. We support the environmental transition to sustainable energy, but it doesn't mean that we must just wave away affordable technology, especially in such uncertain times. We need predictability. The industry does need that. Our households need need affordable energy. And to abandon energy resources because of sanctions is against the grain of this. To to ensure affordability and economic stability, we need to utilize everything that is available to us, any restriction to the opposite would result in impoverishment in Europe. Thank you.”
  Fossil fuels · Nuclear energy