Café Europe

2009

Slovakia’s crucial moment

Martin Simecka and his view of 1998 “For Slovakia the biggest historical event is not 1989 but 1998,” says Martin M. Simecka, a writer, journalist, and former editor in chief of the leading Slovak daily SME. By Kristof Bender and Milan Nic
Martin M. Simecka Photo: Courtesy of M. Simecka

Slovakia’s crucial moment

Martin Simecka and his view of 1998 “For Slovakia the biggest historical event is not 1989 but 1998,” says Martin M. Simecka, a writer, journalist, and former editor in chief of the leading Slovak daily SME. By Kristof Bender and Milan Nic

Breaching Bulgaria’s Schengen Wall

Nadezhda Mihaylova and visa-free travel Nadezhda Mihaylova was Bulgarian foreign minister in Ivan Kostov’s reform government from 1997-2001. “When I visited Brussels for the first time it was like the first day in school, when you go and nobody knows you.” By Kristof Bender
Nadezhda Mihaylova
Nadezhda Mihaylova. Photo: NATO

Breaching Bulgaria’s Schengen Wall

Nadezhda Mihaylova and visa-free travel Nadezhda Mihaylova was Bulgarian foreign minister in Ivan Kostov’s reform government from 1997-2001. “When I visited Brussels for the first time it was like the first day in school, when you go and nobody knows you.” By Kristof Bender

“EU membership within ten years”

Ivan Kostov and Bulgaria’s turning point “European Union membership was a symbol of our real orientation.” In 1997, against the background of a collapsed economy, then prime minister Ivan Kostov announced that Bulgaria wanted to become an EU member within ten years.  By Kristof Bender
Ivan Kostov
Ivan Kostov

“EU membership within ten years”

Ivan Kostov and Bulgaria’s turning point “European Union membership was a symbol of our real orientation.” In 1997, against the background of a collapsed economy, then prime minister Ivan Kostov announced that Bulgaria wanted to become an EU member within ten years.  By Kristof Bender
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