2018 Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Bulgaria held the presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2018. The presidency was the second of three presidencies making up a presidency trio, which began with the presidency of Estonia, and was followed by that of Austria. It was the first time Bulgaria had held the presidency. The motto that was chosen for the presidency was "United we stand strong".

Overview
The Bulgarian presidency had four major points on its agenda: (1) closing socioeconomic gaps, (2) planning for integration with states of the Western Balkans, (3) providing security and stability, and (4) adapting the economy in response to digital advances. The presidency also had to face issues pertaining to the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union (Brexit), the continuing influx of refugees and migrants, and the planning for a new multiyear budget for the union.

Vladislava Gubalova, a research fellow at the GLOBSEC Policy Institute, described the presidency as "more about style than substance". Gubalova stated that although the presidency did not make any major missteps, the progress that it made would likely not be seen as historic. Overall, Gubalova considered the presidency satisfactory, and reported that it showed that Bulgaria was able to competently handle the competing interests of the European Union.