For the eleventh consecutive year, the American University in Bulgaria transformed into a hub of international diplomacy and spirited debate as it hosted Model European Union Blagoevgrad, the largest simulation of European institutions in Southeast Europe. Held from March 28 to 30 on the AUBG campus, the event welcomed nearly 80 students and alumni from across Europe and beyond to experience firsthand the complexities of EU decision-making.
This year’s simulation was titled “Navigating Europe’s Evolving Security Landscape: The EU Defense Industry, Cybersecurity, and the War in Ukraine.” Participants took on the roles of Members of the European Parliament, ministers, and heads of state as they explored and debated some of the most pressing issues facing the European Union today.
The opening ceremony, held in the Dr. Carl Djerassi Theater, featured special guest Nikolay Denkov, member of parliament and former Prime Minister of Bulgaria, who delivered an insightful speech to officially launch the event. The opening continued with a panel discussion with Maria Simeonova, Head of Sofia office at the European Council on Foreign Relations. The event concluded with a song by future AUBGer Damyana Iribozova and ballet school Croisé.
“We are proud to see how far this initiative has come. What started as a student-led idea has grown into an international platform for dialogue and diplomacy,” said Yani Dimanchev, President of MEU Blagoevgrad.
“It’s incredibly inspiring to see students from such diverse backgrounds come together to simulate the work of the EU with such passion and professionalism,” he concluded.
The event brought together participants from countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Italy, North Macedonia, Serbia, Canada, and the United States. These students represented a wide range of universities including: University of Bucharest, American College of Athens, University of Rome, University of London in Paris, Sofia University, and Varna Free University.
After three days of intense discussions, policy drafting, and negotiations, the simulation concluded with a formal closing ceremony, during which three participants were awarded by Blagoevgrad Deputy Mayor Boriana Shalyavska. The two participants Alexandar Peev and Jara Karaguteva were recognized for their outstanding performance. Alesandro Milosevic was recognized as best delegate and awarded a trip to Brussels and the EU Institutions.
Alexandar Peev
Alesandro Milosevic
Jara Karaguteva
Model European Union Blagoevgrad 2025 was made possible with the generous support of the Municipality of Blagoevgrad, underscoring the city’s commitment to youth engagement and international dialogue. As the event continues to grow each year, it reaffirms AUBG’s role as a regional leader in fostering active citizenship and global awareness among young people.
