Head of the Delegation of Bulgarian Socialists Christian Vigenin participated in key meetings in Washington , as part of a European Parliament delegation. It was attended by members of the Commission on Constitutional Affairs of the EP, led by the chairman Sven Simon. The purpose of the visit is to maintain dialogue and cooperation between the EU and the US on issues related to governance, electoral law and constitutional issues, given the recent US presidential election.
During its visit, from November 19 to 22, the delegation held more than 20 meetings in Congress, the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, the White House, met with senior government officials and representatives of analysis institutes and foundations.
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In a series of meetings with members of Congress from both the Republican and Democratic parties – Joe Morrell, Michael Burgess, Janice Schakowsky, Joe Wilson, and Jamie Raskin discussed expected changes in U.S. policy on a wide range of issues, with an emphasis on topics of mutual concern such as the achievement of peace in Ukraine, security and defense policy, migration politics, trade-economic ties and Trump's stated intentions to introduce protectionist measures.
Attention was paid to the judiciary and legal issues. Meetings were held with representatives of the federal General Services Administration (GSA) and the Office of Government Ethics regarding regulatory and ethical standards.
With Ellen Weintraub, vice-chairman of the Federal Election Commission, the rules for financing election campaigns and the control exercised by the commission were discussed.
„The change of power in the US is greeted far more calmly in Washington than in Europe. At this stage, it is difficult to draw definite conclusions, but I think that the upcoming changes may turn out to be in the interest of the development of the European Union, contrary to expectations, commented Vigenin. “If international relations are put on a solid foundation, taking into account the new global balances, this will create the conditions for a more secure and peaceful world,”, he believes.
As for the relations of the USA with Bulgaria, Vigenin explained that he does not expect a significant change, as the issue of abolishing the visa regime for Bulgarian citizens must be put before the new administration. “Certain circles in our country create the false impression that the USA appoints and deposes party leaders and governments. This is absurd and we should have a little more confidence. Trump's election is the result of ongoing processes of deep changes at the global level, and they will inevitably have an impact on Bulgarian politics as well, Vigenin stressed. “Joe Wilson, one of the most experienced and respected congressmen from the Republican Party, with whom we worked together in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, has a large Bulgarian flag in his office. For me, this is a strong sign that bilateral relations will be based on respect and equality, especially since Wilson himself has every chance to be the next chairman of the Committee on Foreign Policy”, the MEP pointed out.
The Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the European Parliament (AFCO), of which Vigenin is a member, focuses on the institutional framework of the EU, the governance and implementation of the EU Treaties. It plays a key role in building and improving the democratic foundations of the European Union.
To contact the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the EP:
https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/
