Bulgaria has always been a part of Europe

Interview with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Italy to Bulgaria H.E. Mr. Gian B. Campagnola

Your Excellency, this year we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries.Is the Italian side planning to mark this occasion? Are there projects for joint events in honour of this jubilee, or plans for something special?
This anniversary is extremely meaningful for our two countries and for our relations. It arrives in a particular moment in which Italy and Bulgaria are closer then ever and, meanwhile, sharpen the continuity and the historic stability of the relations between them. Italy was among the first countries which recognized diplomatically the revival of the Bulgarian State in 1878 and in such way the return of Bulgaria, which is one of Europe’s most ancient nations, in the role which the country deserves to play on the regional, European and international scene.

Now, when we can, without any doubt, observe the excellency and the intensity of our dialogue in all sectors, it gives us the opportunity to underline its exclusiveness. That is why, the activities that the Italian Embassy is going to promote in order to pay the tribute of the Italian State to this historical date are particular. In a very few days, we will admire, here in Sofia, one of the jewels of the Italian cultural and artistic life – the Philharmonic Orchestra of La Scala Theatre of Milan, directed by Maestro Riccardo Muti. However, this unique musical event will not be the last. It will only mark another significant step of our long and ambitious programme, which intends to offer to the Bulgarian public the possibility to enjoy other sectors of the Italian art and lifestyle.

In what direction should the relations between the Republic of Italy and the Republic of Bulgaria be further developed with view to the upcoming EU accession of Bulgaria?
As I previously said, the trend followed by the relations between Italy and Bulgaria is rather continuous and up moving. The last months have furthermore emphasized the particularity of such momentum. The positive development was felt enormously by both parts during the semester of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. During that period, Bulgaria received a series of important recognitions regarding its determinant way towards its accession to the EU. Italy has ever been a firm supporter of the European way which Bulgaria is now speedily going through. My country is pointing decisively at Bulgaria and finds in her face a privileged partner in all the relevant spheres, from politics and international relations to economy, commercial exchange and cultural and social cooperation. The importance of this special relation to Italy has been demonstrated in many important occasions. More than successful from this point of view were the visits of the President of the Italian Senate Marcello Pera, of our Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the Vice Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini and many other Ministers, Vice Ministers and parliamentarians. We could not obviously miss the unprecedented interest Italian investors are having here in many crucial economic sectors due mainly to the excellent environment and conditions of the country.

Our joint hopes are now facing the near future in which your country will become fully integrated member of the European Union and will thus contribute to what Italy considers its fundamental priority – the reunification of Europe. In this regard, Bulgaria can count on our Government’s and our country’s support. Based on reciprocity and extraordinary complicity, our partnership will bring us together in the following years to see our common dream come true.

Are you, as a diplomat, personally satisfied with your work in Bulgaria?
In my opinion, the good diplomat has to be infinitely curious about the countries where is posted to during his career. The satisfaction then comes when the country offers to him an enormous variety of facts and different experiences. I therefore consider myself extremely lucky. Here I found and I am continuing to discover a country which impressed me very much with the determination and the seriousness of its population and with the high spirit of consensus on the main topics of national interest among the political parties and institutions. Moreover, I would like to stress the fact that Bulgaria is an open reality and for me it is not difficult to understand because of the many similarities existing between our two countries. It is true in particular as far as the cultural and historic traditions are concerned. It will be simply enough to look around and visit the museums, the theatres, the boutiques and the streets of this beautiful country to see how similar we are and how Europeans are the Bulgarians. That is why when I am asked about the meaningfulness of the Bulgarian entry in Europe, I always reply that Bulgaria is already in Europe and it has always been a part since the very origins of our civilization.

What would you recommend to the Bulgarians with view to the new realities awaiting them in the EU?
Along with the high efficiency and the hard work of the Bulgarian Authorities in all the phases of the preparation for accession, the thing about Bulgaria, which attracted my curiosity and my admiration, are the young people in particular. They are open-minded and determined in the research of the quality of their life. Bulgaria will have to be able to respond adequately to their expectations because they are the main component of its European future.