“Let us give courage to young people in Bulgaria,” says Svetlin Tanchev, who is 31, confident in himself and in his ability to take responsibilities and bring everything to completion. He is chairman of a very important structure at the moment, the parliamentary Committee on European Affairs and EU Funds Control (CEAEFC), his deputies are Meglena Plugchieva, Djevdet Chakarov and Desislava Taneva, and the members of the Committee are Alexander Stoykov, Asen Agov, Valentin Mikev, Vladimir Toshev, Dimcho Mihalevski, Emil Radev, Emil Ivanov, Kalina Krumova, Korman Ismailov, Krasimir Minchev, Mihail Nikolovski, Plamen Oresharski and Tsvetan Tsvetanov.

Svetlin Tanchev, Chairman of the Committee on European Affairs and EU Funds Control at the National Assembly

Svetlin Tanchev was born on November 26, 1978 in the town of Ihtiman, Sofia region. He finished high school in Wellsville, Kansas, USA (1995). BA in international business from Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas (2000), MA in business administration (finance) from Avila University, Kansas City, Missouri (2003).
He started his career as bank trainee in Baldwin State Bank (Baldwin City, Kansas). Later as financial consultant in Morgan Stanley Dean Witter (Kansas City, Missouri) he established international cooperation with a Bulgarian financial institution. 2003–2005 financial manager in Elidis OOD, Sofia, Bulgaria. Since 2005 expert in the Ministry of Finance in charge of the overall coordination of activities under PHARE – Regional Development. He participated in the programming, execution and monitoring of financial aid under PHARE, member of diverse evaluation committees on EU financed projects. He took active part in the process of preparation of Bulgaria for EU membership in the programming and coordination of EU structural and cohesion funds management in Bulgaria after 2007. Assisted the team of the Ministry of Finance in the process of financial and budget planning from the viewpoint of European funds and national co-financing.
Fluent in English, Russian, Spanish and French.
MP in the 41st National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Funds Under Operational Programs Are Not A Privilege But An Equal Opportunity For All

• We are intensifying dialogue with socio-economic partners
• Education should be the foundation for the development of Bulgarian society
• In the European Union we have freedom to develop our own national interest

Mr. Tanchev, what is the work of the Committee on European Affairs and EU Funds Control? Who reports to it?
The Committee is active in three main lines: parliamentary supervision and control over matters related to EU, parliamentary control over the management of resources from EU funds and programs, and interparliamentary cooperation. Among the wide range of activities, I must point out our leading role in the process of drawing the Annual Work Program of the National Assembly on EU issues, our participation in the process of development of EU acts by considering the stand of the government on them and preparation of an independent report of the Committee on these projects. CEAEFC also monitors the enforcement of European acts in the Republic of Bulgaria after their adoption. Besides, the Committee interviews applicants for positions in the EU institutions proposed by the Council of Ministers, as well as ministers who are going to take part in sessions of the Council of the EU.

A major field in which the Committee is actively engaged is the parliamentary supervision and control over the system of management of EU money in Bulgaria. We think that the creation of additional mechanisms for supervision and control over this process contributes to both the improvement of the overall system of management and the enhancement of our European partners’ trust. In order to make our work as efficient as possible, we hold regular hearings of ministers and officials responsible for EU fund management, and try to give early warnings of any irregularities found. Every six months the Committee will submit a report on the absorption of EU funds with the relevant conclusions and analyses. European money under the EU cohesion policy should be treated as a national priority, therefore I am convinced that the building up of a spirit of cooperation and high responsibility in all state institutions involved in this process is a key element for the successful socio-economic development of Bulgaria, especially in the conditions of global financial crisis.

We should not omit the broad interparliamentary cooperation we are engaged in through our participation in the Conference of Community and European Affairs Committees of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC). We took part in the 42nd regular session of COSAC (October 2009) which was held in the country that currently holds the presidency of the EU, Sweden. COSAC attaches great importance to the practical application of the principle of subsidiarity, under which EU undertakes legislative actions only if and in so far as the objectives of the proposed action cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States (Art. 5 (3) TEC). In this regard the Treaty of Lisbon expands significantly the role of national parliaments in exercising control over subsidiarity over the legislative initiatives of EC by involving them in the process from the very start.

Who will exercise control over the control committee? Who will it report to?
One of the principles in the work of CEAEFC, on which I insist as chairman, is maximum transparency in our activity. The Committee sessions are public, and all reports adopted and documents discussed are published on the webpage of the National Assembly.

In this sense I would say that civil society as a whole will exercise control over our work. Our activity is aimed at protection of the rights and interest of the Bulgarian citizen as a part of the big European family, irrespective of whether it is a matter of spending European money, or translating European laws, which inevitably affects various spheres of people’s lives.

We shall work for the establishment of a broad public forum to the Committee in the form of Council for Public Consultations, which will comprise representatives of the legislature and the executive, as well as representatives of the business, syndicates and the non-governmental sector. I am sure that putting on the agenda the topical issues related to the EU funds, which our socio-economic partners face, will bring a positive result – enhancement of the mutual trust and finding of adequate solutions.

Would you point out which areas within the Committee’s competence need new or special legislative measures?
Our priority will be the making of a Law on EU Fund Management with a view to codification of the statutes and additional protection of the rights and interests of the beneficiaries. The numerous decrees by the Council of Ministers currently in force create confusion and difficulties in the preparation of project proposals on the part of candidates for grant aid. The impression created is of unnecessary bureaucratization of the process, which discourages the citizens from applying. The funds under operational programs are perceived as a privilege of certain persons and not as an equal opportunity for all. I think that the making of a law will change this perception – by optimizing the time-terms and procedures and providing protection to the beneficiaries, by the introduction of a procedure for appeal against the actions of the administration. For the drafting we shall also relay on the extensive experience of our socio-economic partners.

You have been entrusted with one of the most responsible committees in parliament. How did you get this far and what prompted you to turn your back to US banks and return to you homeland?
There are several reasons. I will quote President Roosevelt’s famous phrase: “Don’t ask what your country can do for you. Ask instead what you can do for your country.” No matter how long we have been outside our country, what binds us together is Bulgaria, in our minds we never emigrated. I know many people who emigrated 30–40 years ago, some of them already speak Bulgarian with an accent, but however much they may have been disappointed with Bulgaria there isn’t a single one among them who does not follow the news, who does not seek ways to do something for our country. A stereotype is being formed that all Bulgarians living abroad would return to Bulgaria if here they could have a normal life.

I cam back because I want to live here and apply my knowledge and experience.

I am convinced that if everybody does one’s job responsibly it will be better for all.

You are one of the about 20 Bulgarians who went to the United States under the exchange program Foreign Youth Ambassadors. In 1991 you were 14 years old, how did you summon the courage?
My mother put me up to this journey. I come from Kostenets, even though I haven’t lived there long, about 7 years. On the one hand, in this kind of small town there were not many prospects for fulfilment, and on the other, she believed that at this age I already had the family values instilled in me and this would help me unfold in the right direction.

How is American education different from Bulgarian education?
It has its advantages and disadvantage, too. I have always tried to be objective, not to say “America is the best,” or “Bulgaria is better.”

What is specific for American education is that it guides you and allows you to develop in a sphere you find interesting. They let you find your own way. Adam Smith also had a great influence in the building of my personality. He says that everyone should excel in what they can do. To become the best should be your major goal. You should develop in a line that is interesting to you, even in your leisure time. Because there is no way you can be the best in something if you don’t do it for pleasure.

We have also something in common – education in the spirit of love of one’s country. It is a different matter that in our national psychology there seems to be a large dose of negativism. This is the difference between America and Bulgaria. There they try to be constructive. A saying goes “if life gives you a lemon, make lemonade,” always seek opportunities. Personally I view problems also as opportunities, as one man’s problem is another man’s business, so we need to think more creatively. In such a sense my stay in America has changed a bit my world outlook.

Did you have any hesitations when you came back, and what were they related to?
I did, quite a lot, the first year. Should I stay in Bulgaria or should I go overseas again. It is a state of mind – I feel like a citizen of the world and I can very well try to make a living anywhere. Moreover, I am confident in myself and in my qualities. I am not one of those who count on fate or on some other external power. I believe I can do well anywhere, to attain a normal living standard. If you are willing to work, there is a way to achieve you goals. I’ve had disappointments too, but I am an obstinate fellow. I manage to overcome, to suppress my hesitations and concentrate on short-term goals in order to achieve the long-term ones. Sometimes, if you look more globally and in long perspective, it is a little scary. This has helped me – focusing on closer goals to follow my path and not despair. Because in Bulgaria you can really feel very hopelessly at times. A drop in a big ocean, where no one around you shares your ideas. Sometimes we just need to suppress our emotions and let reason take the upper hand.

Are Bulgarians willing to work if given the chance?
I am sure Bulgarians are and they have capacity. Of course, every rule has exceptions. Most Bulgarians I know abroad are ambitious and they really do well and succeed.

Here it is different. Here we are also influenced by the group around us. Even bad examples are followed. Whereas in America it is just the opposite – from an early age there is competition who will be better. Because there at every stage the system sifts out only the best.

For example, it is easy to get a scholarship if your grades are good. All the time in high school they think about the next step. At the schools they have boards where they pin photos of the excellent students. This was the first cultural shock I experienced. Leaders there were the children who did well academically, who were successful in sports, these were the bright boys and girls in America. And this model is successfully transferred to society.

What do Bulgarians need to change in themselves in order to go forward confidently, to have motivation, an incentive for development?
Unfortunately these processes are very complex and difficult. In my opinion, the fundamental thing is – and here my views coincide with those of political party GERB, which I represent – that we need to stake on education. Education is the most important thing. Although it cannot happen in a year or two or three, during one mandate, I believe that with a consistent approach, if we forget our political partialities and really stake on education, the results will come quickly. Because we had a good and quality education, we had self-confidence, traditions and authority.

In this aspect I think we need to invest efforts in the next ten years, as a secure investment in the future of Bulgaria. Even electoral activity is indicative. People who do not vote do not realize their own role, their power. The people has great power.

When did you go into politics?
Gradually I realized that maybe this is the way to fulfil my wish to contribute to my country what I have as potential. Initially when I came back I decided to get a job in banking, because I had some experience in it. I applied without connections or intercession in several banks that were looking to fill vacancies. I applied for low positions, I didn’t want to be manager or supervisor because I thought that as in America you need to start from low level, to show your abilities, to be committed to the organization, and thus climb up in the hierarchy. They didn’t even bother to reply. Just one or two banks sent me a negative response. This was in the period when I didn’t know what to do – should I stay in Bulgaria, what career should I make? I thought, I couldn’t even be a cashier in Bulgaria. I decided to try in public administration. I took part in a competition at the Ministry of Finance, where the test had rigid rules and if you passed it with highest results it was hard not to employ you. In the state administration at least the laws on the state employee have some force.

The reason I left the Ministry of Finance is complex and concerns mainly differences in the vision for the activity’s priorities, the atmosphere in the team, and the approach to human resource management as a whole. Therefore I joined GERB, where I found closest coincidence between my views of things and their political program. What is more, Mr. Borisov is a person who can bear responsibility, he thinks fast and takes decisions. I think Bulgaria needs a leader. A leader who could lead people in a certain direction and for them to have respect.

This is why I am a part of GERB because I believe in the liberal model of development. People should use their own judgement, to distinguish good from bad and be more active citizens.

Why did we have these problems with Brussels under the previous government?
The problems came mainly from the fact that we failed to achieve sufficiently constructive dialogue, not paying due attention to their objective evaluation and recommendations. When our politicians went abroad I saw a kind of uncomfortable attitude, they do not feel confident to stand their ground. Partly I find an explanation in the purely psychological factor that we have a feeling of guilt. Whether because certain people from your party really take advantage of some things and you don’t have the moral right to stand up and defend the national interests. And when it was possible to ask for help we just didn’t want it. When Brussels was telling us, let us help you, and gave us guidance, we elusively made action plans, action plans for the action plans and thus we often circumvented the realities. Even if we had just stuck to the points they sent us we could have worked constructively, but I did not see such attitude. I think our discipline is poor, but this like everything else is correctable with education, with a clear vision where we want to get to.

Is it easy to defend national interests?
Personally I think it is not difficult. For me it is an honour to defend the interests of Bulgaria, to say that I am Bulgarian. I don’t it is shameful or undignified to want the population and your country to have sovereignty, a clear vision of their history and development. As regards national identity, I don’t think it is suppressed in any way. Quite the contrary. Sometimes, I am thinking in business terms, the best companies strive to have small groups, which are part of a larger group, which has a broad back. Globalization shows that on themselves people cannot develop. It is most creative when there is a smaller group that thinks about its own welfare and works accordingly, this unites all the rest to make better progress.

No one can dictate our home policy. Europe does not interfere either. Yes, we are part of a big family and we need to conform. But even when you develop relations with your neighbouring countries you have to conform in one way or other. In the European Union we have much greater freedom to develop our own national interest and views.

What is your message to young people?
To do what they are interested in. Not to be slaves to the notion that someone restricts them or is to blame. We simply need to be open to life, to try to do our best every day and think positively, then we shall certainly achieve our goals. This is my experience and view of life.