2018 Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Bulgaria held the presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2018.^[1][2] The presidency was the second of three presidencies making up a presidency trio, which began with the presidency of Estonia, and was followed by that of Austria.^[3] It was the first time Bulgaria had held the presidency.^[4] The motto that was chosen for the presidency was "United we stand strong".^[1][4]

The Bulgarian presidency had four major points on its agenda: (1) closing socioeconomic gaps, (2) planning for integration with states of the Western Balkans, (3) providing security and stability, and (4) adapting the economy in response to digital advances.^[5] The presidency also had to face issues pertaining to the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union (Brexit), the continuing influx of refugees and migrants, and the planning for a new multiyear budget for the union.^[6][7]

Vladislava Gubalova, a research fellow at the GLOBSEC Policy Institute, described the presidency as "more about style than substance".^[8] Gubalova stated that although the presidency did not make any major missteps, the progress that it made would likely not be seen as historic.^[8] Overall, Gubalova considered the presidency satisfactory, and reported that it showed that Bulgaria was able to competently handle the competing interests of the European Union.^[8]

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