8 Nov
The role of Germany in Europe in times of war: Potential for German-Bulgarian cooperation
We will discuss Germany’s role in Europe and will reflect on how the new European order is viewed in Berlin
Experts & Staff
Maria Simeonova
Programme Coordinator, ECFR Sofia & Wider Europe programme
Languages
Bulgarian, English, Italian, conversational French
Biography
Maria Simeonova is the programme coordinator for the Wider Europe programme and ECFR’s Sofia office. She focuses on the Western Balkans and Turkey.
Simeonova has previously completed internships at the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Bulgaria to the EU, and the European Commission as a Blue Book Trainee at the Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development. Prior to joining ECFR, Simeonova was a civil servant at the Bulgarian Ministry of Finance.
Simeonova holds a BA degree in International Relations from Sofia University and an MA degree in European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. Her master’s thesis focused on coherence issues in EU external energy policy and relations with Russia.
Bulgaria’s European awakening
Bulgaria’s reformist government may have fallen, but this is a new era for the country. Policymakers should now build on Bulgarians’ growing sense of common purpose.
14 Apr
Представяне на доклад – Да разцъфтят хиляди контакти: Как Китай се съревновава за влияние в България
Софийският офис на Европейския съвет за външна политика има удоволствието да Ви покани на представянето на новия доклад на Владимир Шопов, „Да разцъфтят хиляди…
Views from the capitals: Russia’s war on Ukraine
The conflict in Ukraine will change Europe forever. Experts from across ECFR’s network of offices describe the view of the war from Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Rome, Sofia, and Warsaw.
Bulgaria’s abstention from the fight against climate change
Bulgaria’s abstention on the European Climate Law not only isolates the country within the EU once again but also reveals two familiar shortfalls in Bulgarian diplomacy
In the media
Giorgia Meloni did not hesitate to uphold the strong support for Ukraine throughout the election campaign – Bulgarian politicians should learn from this example
Maria Simeonova discusses what to expect from the new Italian government led by Giorgia Meloni
If we go in a spiral of caretaker governments, we have to consider one negative of the Bulgarian administration – it is not empowered enough
Maria Simeonova in Dnevnik’s election studios on the day of Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections
The future progress will depend on the political will to keep the dialogue going acknowledging the arduous geopolitical context
Maria Simeonova on the bilateral relations between Bulgaria and North Macedonia
Bulgarians have experienced a European awakening, with many of them now feeling that they truly belong in the EU family
Maria Simeonova is quoted on the state of Bulgarian politics
The bilateral relations between Bulgaria and North Macedonia have been misused for domestic messaging of populist politicians in Bulgaria
Maria Simeonova on the bilateral dispute between Sofia and Skopje