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Reposted by Maria Simeonova

Südosteuropa-Gesellschaft @sudosteuropa.bsky.social · 16d

NEW RELEASE

Southeast Europe in Focus | Scrutinizing Security in the Black Sea Region: A Closer Look at Bulgaria, Romania, and the Republic of Moldova

With contributions by D. Triantaphyllou, @mariasimeonova.bsky.social , M. Zulean and C. Bogatiuc.

🔗Download here: www.sogde.org/de/publikati...

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Garvan Walshe @garvanwalshe.org · Aug 4

Last month Bulgarian authorities arrested Blagomor Kotsev, mayor of Varna Based on hearsay they transferred him to Sofia and remanded him in custody.

Bulgaria has oligarchs sanctioned by the US and UK but Kotsev is an opponent of theirs trying to clean things up.

tvpworld.com/88141560/bul...

Political intervention needed to stop democratic backsliding

By arresting such a senior opposition figure on flimsy evidence and then denying him bail, Bulgarian prosecutors have entered the political arena.

tvpworld.com

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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · Aug 1

My latest piece for @ecfr.eu on the concerning trends of democratic erosion in #Bulgaria. It’s not simple but the #EU could do much more to prevent a decay from within 👇

ECFR @ecfr.eu · Jul 27

European integration and modernisation are little more than a façade, masking deep-rooted governance problems, writes @msimeonova11 in her commentary on the threats to Bulgarian democracy.

The decay within: Why the EU needs to help defend Bulgaria’s democracy

Bulgaria celebrated its entry into the euro zone this month, but inside the country, opposition figures are being arrested and its judiciary is crumbling. This democratic backsliding risks…

bit.ly

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ECFR @ecfr.eu · Jul 28

One of our policy fellows @kirland.bsky.social just published a new book on civil-defence relations in Russian defence policymaking. Check it out now 👇

Kirill Shamiev @kirland.bsky.social · Jul 28

Would you like to know why it has been so difficult for Putin's Russia to build a powerful military?
@waterstones.bsky.social has launched a 25% discount on upcoming titles, including my book on Russian military development! 1/4 #WPreorder

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ECFR Sofia @ecfrsofia.bsky.social · Jul 25

В този епизод на подкаста ни ‘World in 30 minutes’ @vtcherneva.bsky.social и @mariasimeonova.bsky.social обсъждат с Mark Leonard тревожните признаци на институционална ерозия и погазване на върховенството на правото.

Чуйте тук: ecfr.eu/pod.../episo...

ecfr.eu

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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · Jul 17

Bulgarians are back on the streets. Just like 5 years ago, they want to break the networks that use the judicial system to target anyone, anytime. Bulgaria is sliding toward state capture - and the #EU shouldn’t turn a blind eye again. #Bulgaria #RuleOfLaw

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ECFR @ecfr.eu · Jun 28

📢It's a wrap! An enriching and fruitful two days at #ACM25
@poland25eu.bsky.social – full of sharp insights, debate, and fresh ideas for Europe's future. A huge thank you to all speakers, participants, partners, and supporters for joining us in Warsaw and making it all possible!

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ECFR @ecfr.eu · Jun 27

ECFR Director Mark Leonard kicks off #ACM25 with an ECFR Insight: “Unlike in 2003 when Europe was split between pro and anti-American countries at the time of Iraq, what you now have is a split between pro Trump parties and anti-Trump parties, and that is leading to a recasting of European politics"

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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · Jun 6

Always a pleasure talking to TVP World - this time about our country’s most recent success: receiving the green light from the European Commission and the European Central Bank for our readiness to join the Eurozone on 1 January 2026.

youtu.be/Z70MjEJMxLs?...

Bulgaria and the euro | Maria Simeonova

YouTube video by TALKING WITH TVP WORLD

youtu.be

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · May 22

5/ Ukraine, Syria, the eastern Med, the Red Sea: so much comes back to Turkey. @mariasimeonova.bsky.social in Sofia presents a nuanced take on how Europe can balance serious concerns about Turkish democracy with the need for geopolitical cooperation with Ankara:

ecfr.eu/article/no-e...

No easy choices: How Europe can write a new chapter with Turkey

Europe’s security requires cooperation with Turkey, but Erdogan’s domestic abuses complicate the relationship. To navigate this, Europeans must invest in this partnership, prioritising urgent needs wh...

ecfr.eu

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ECFR @ecfr.eu · May 8

Europe can't afford to ignore Turkey—but engaging with Erdoğan comes at a cost.
In her latest commentary, Maria Simeonova explores how the EU can balance immediate security needs with long-term democratic goals in its complex relationship with Ankara.

No easy choices: How Europe can write a new chapter with Turkey

Europe’s security requires cooperation with Turkey, but Erdogan’s domestic abuses complicate the relationship. To navigate this, Europeans must invest in this partnership, prioritising urgent needs…

bit.ly

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ECFR @ecfr.eu · May 9

Last week marked 100 days of Trump's second term—and his 'MAGA goes global' agenda is reshaping Europe's geopolitical landscape. Celia Belin's latest policy brief analyzes how his administration's policies are challenging the EU.
bit.ly/4iTWXoB

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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · May 2

My recent piece looks at how the EU can engage with Turkey amid the democratic backsliding but also shared strategic interests. Disengagement risks new dependencies as member states start playing solo with Ankara.

ECFR @ecfr.eu · May 1

Europe faces a strategic dilemma: engage with Turkey despite domestic concerns, or risk regional instability. Maria Simeonova explores how the EU can pragmatically deepen ties with Ankara while upholding its values.

No easy choices: How Europe can write a new chapter with Turkey

Europe’s security requires cooperation with Turkey, but Erdogan’s domestic abuses complicate the relationship. To navigate this, Europeans must invest in this partnership, prioritising urgent needs…

bit.ly

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ECFR Sofia @ecfrsofia.bsky.social · Apr 29

Динамиката на отношенията между Европа и Турция никога не е била проста - но именно в сложността се крият възможности за стратегическо преосмисляне. @mariasimeonova.bsky.social обобщава изборите пред ЕС и обяснява защо диалогът с Анкара е по-важен от всякога. ecfr.eu/article/no-e...

No easy choices: How Europe can write a new chapter with Turkey

Europe’s security requires cooperation with Turkey, but Erdogan’s domestic abuses complicate the relationship. To navigate this, Europeans must invest in this partnership, prioritising urgent needs wh...

ecfr.eu

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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · Apr 30

Il mio nuovo articolo su come l'UE debba sistemare le sue relazioni con la Turchia in un momento cruciale per la sicurezza in Europa. @ecfrsofia.bsky.social

ECFR Rome @ecfrrome.bsky.social · Apr 30

L'Europa si trova di fronte a un dilemma strategico: impegnarsi con la Turchia nonostante le tensioni interne o rischiare l'instabilità regionale.
✍️ @mariasimeonova.bsky.social x @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social

No easy choices: How Europe can write a new chapter with Turkey

Europe’s security requires cooperation with Turkey, but Erdogan’s domestic abuses complicate the relationship. To navigate this, Europeans must invest in this partnership, prioritising urgent needs…

bit.ly

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Reposted by Maria Simeonova

ECFR Rome @ecfrrome.bsky.social · Apr 30

L'Europa si trova di fronte a un dilemma strategico: impegnarsi con la Turchia nonostante le tensioni interne o rischiare l'instabilità regionale.
✍️ @mariasimeonova.bsky.social x @ecfrwidereurope.bsky.social

No easy choices: How Europe can write a new chapter with Turkey

Europe’s security requires cooperation with Turkey, but Erdogan’s domestic abuses complicate the relationship. To navigate this, Europeans must invest in this partnership, prioritising urgent needs…

bit.ly

1

Reposted by Maria Simeonova

ECFR @ecfr.eu · Mar 13

📣 It’s a wrap!

After three days of fruitful discussions at our ECFR Annual Staff Retreat, in which we dove deep into the policy challenges of today’s world, we’re ready to tackle what lies ahead!

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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · Mar 10

The full story about the Bulgarians who were recently found guilty in the UK of conspiring with the Kremlin to kidnap and possibly murder the journalists Christo Grozev and Roman Dobrokhotov.
Worth reading and understanding Kremlin’s changing techniques.

“Let’s hire an ISIS suicide bomber to blow him up in the street!”: Europe’s most wanted man plotted my murder — and that of my colleague

A jury at the Old Bailey, London’s Central Criminal Court, has just found six of my compatriots — citizens of Bulgaria — guilty of conspiring with the Kremlin to kidnap and possibly murder me and my c...

theins.ru

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ECFR Sofia @ecfrsofia.bsky.social · Mar 6

Европейският съвет за външна политика и Министерството на външните работи на Република България подписаха Меморандум за сътрудничество. Меморандумът открива възможности за съвместни инициативи, обмен на експертиза и добри практики между двете страни.
@ecfr.eu

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Jana Puglierin @jpuglierin.bsky.social · Mar 5

We should have no illusions: Just as it is now doing with Ukraine, the Trump administration will try to force the Europeans into line if they resist a deal on American (or rather Russian?) terms.

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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · Mar 3

На 18.02 споделих мнение, че 🇺🇸 гледат на войната в 🇺🇦 като пречка пред разгръщането на двустранните отношения с Москва, и че има припокриване на интересите между САЩ и Русия за международния ред. Обърнах внимание и на 🇹🇷 като един от ключовите фактори във войната. m.youtube.com/watch?featur...

"Европейският съюз трябва да се научи на прагматизъм във външната политика"

YouTube video by Euronews Bulgaria

m.youtube.com

Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · Mar 3

(Не)безопасность Черного моря в 2025 году — Riddle Russia

Мария Симеонова о том, как изменились горизонты безопасности на Черном море спустя три года после начала полномасштабного вторжения России в Украину

ridl.io

Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · Feb 26

My piece for Riddle Russia on Black Sea security is out. I argue that this is the region where Europe’s security awakening and ability to deter Russia will first be tested.

ridl.io/black-sea-in...

Black Sea (in)security in 2025 – Riddle Russia

Maria Simeonova reflects on how the Black Sea security horizons have shifted three years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and what EU could do about it

ridl.io

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Maria Simeonova @mariasimeonova.bsky.social · Feb 23

Russia's Lavrov to discuss Turkish role in ending Ukraine war in visit, source says - www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Russia's Lavrov to discuss Turkish role in ending Ukraine war in visit, source says

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Turkey on Monday to discuss his country's recent talks with U.S. officials on ending the war in Ukraine, and how Ankara can contribute to the process, a Turkish foreign ministry source said on Sunday.

www.reuters.com

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · Feb 23

Polls close shortly in Germany. What a good election outcome for Europe would look like:

- stable two-part government formed swiftly
- AfD underperforming (sub-20%)
- clear 2/3 majority (420+ seats) for debt-brake reform
- parties pivoting fast from campaign to wider realities

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