S

Model European
Union Sofia 2014
Information Booklet

24th 28th November 2014, Sofia, Bulgaria

Model European Union Sofia 2014

Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2
General Information ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Group division list ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Hostel ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
Schedule ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
Background Information ............................................................................................................................. 14
City of Sofia ............................................................................................................................................. 14
House of Europe ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Sofia University ....................................................................................................................................... 15
National Youth House ............................................................................................................................. 16
Sofia Cuisine and Nightlife .......................................................................................................................... 17
Restaurants ............................................................................................................................................. 17
Monday Restaurant O!Shipka ....................................................................................................... 17
Tuesday and Friday Divaka Restaurant......................................................................................... 18
Wednesday Hadzhidraganovite Izbi ............................................................................................... 19
Thursday Euro night National Youth House ..................................................................................... 20
Clubs ........................................................................................................................................................ 20
Thursday Gramophone .................................................................................................................... 20
............................................................................................................................................................ 20
Plovdiv ......................................................................................................................................................... 21
Practical Information .................................................................................................................................. 21
Public Transport ...................................................................................................................................... 21
Money exchange ..................................................................................................................................... 21
Basic Bulgarian ........................................................................................................................................ 21
Weather forecast .................................................................................................................................... 22

Model European Union Sofia 2014

Introduction
Dear participants we are glad to say welcome to Sofia, Bulgaria. This year for the first time the
simulation Model European Union will be organized here in Bulgaria and congratulations! YOU are the
main actors. In this booklet youll find all the necessary information about your sojourn in Sofia. First,
there will be some general information (hostel, group etc.). This will be followed by information about
the program and places we will visit.
Last but not least, there will be some information about Sofia itself. We hope that this booklet will help
you to be well prepared for the trip to Sofia!
Hopefully see you all there!
!
Organisation committee (modeleusofia@outlook.com)
Desislava Antonova +359 897 897801
Teodor Kalpakchiev +359 988 70 55 40
Stephanie Bosseva +359 886 739 556.
Petya Petrova +359 894 42 13 31
Yoana Marinova +359 887 574 589
Emanuela Vassileva
Elizabeth Bojilova +359 889 39 69 62
Alexandar Ivanov +359 878 429 294
Dimitrinka Kyuchukova +359 878 914 113
Svilena Shishkova
Georgi Valev

Model European Union Sofia 2014

General Information
The mandatory programme starts on 24th of November (Monday) at 09:00 o`clock. However, on Sunday
(23th of November) there will also some activities. We will have 77 participants, as well as 9 members of
the Organizing committee. During you sojourn here you will participate in the simulation, but also you
will visit some of the public institutions of Republic of Bulgaria and the second biggest city Plovdiv.
Please take into account that during the formal part (simulation) appropriate formal clothing is required.
In order to guarantee the quality of simulation, preparation in advance is obligatory to everyone!

Group division list

During the simulation each of you will have different role. Some of you will be MEPs, while others will be
representatives of the Council of the EU. Last but not least, some of you take the role of journalist.
Below you can find information about the role division.
Figure 1Ministers (28)

Model European Union Sofia 2014

Figure 2 MEPs (1)

Figure 3 MEPs (2)

Model European Union Sofia 2014

Figure 4 Chairs

Model European Union Sofia 2014

Hostel
Between 24th and 28th of November you home will be Slavyanska Beseda Hotel, situated in Sofia
Downtown. It is close to Central Government offices, Bank headquarters, Art Galleries, Theaters and
Cinemas. The hotel offers 90 rooms and 6 suits. The room facilities include private bath, mini- bar,
telephone, cable TV. To ensure guests' comfort the hotel provides a nice restaurant, room service,
hairdressers, a gym room, a souvenir shop, currency exchange, safe deposit boxes and information
services.
Hotel Facilities: lift, security, safe deposit boxes, telephone, information and money exchange, room
service, barber shop, laundry and dry cleaning, restaurant, bar, private party catering, shop, businessmeeting room, guarded parking
Room Facilities: cable TV, telephone, minibar with fridge, private bathroom/ toilet, bathtub, balcony.
The luxurious rooms also provide cable Internet connection
Web: http://slavyanska.com/bg/
Address: 3, Slavyanska Str. , Sofia
Phone: (+359 2) 935 98 35

Model European Union Sofia 2014

Schedule
Day/Time

23.11 Sunday

7:15 8:15

24.11.

25.11.

26.11.

27.11.

28.11.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Breakfast at the
Hotel

Breakfast at the
Hotel

Breakfast at the
Hotel

Breakfast at the
Hotel

Breakfast at the
Hotel

8:15 8:30

Meeting in front of Meeting in front of

the Hotel
the Hotel

Meeting in front of
the Hotel

Meeting in front of
the Hotel

Meeting in front of
the Hotel

8:30 8:45

Leave to the House Leave to the House Leave to the House

of Europe
of Europe
of Europe

Leave to the House

of Europe

Leave to the House

of Europe

Security Check,
Participants take
their seats

Security Check,
Participants take
their seats

Security Check,
Participants take
their seats

Security Check,
Participants take
their seats

Security Check,
Participants take
their seats

Welcome and
Opening Speeches

Roll Call,
Commissioners
Present both at EP
and Council

Roll Call,
Commissioners
Present both at EP
and Council

Roll Call, Defense of

Amendments from
two MEPs at the
Council, resp. two
Ministers at the
Parliament

Flashback of the
Previous day.
Representatives of
each focus group
present its work
and outputs.

9:15 9:30

Presentation of
the MEU

Questions to the
Commissioners

Questions to the
Commissioners

Defense of
Amendments from
two MEPs at the
Council, resp. two
Ministers at the
Parliament

Representatives of
each focus group
present its work
and outputs.

9:30 9:45

First Panel on TTIP

Faction Meeting at
the Parliament /
Informal Discussion
at the Council

Representatives of
each focus group
present its work
and outputs. The
rest of the
participants begin
writing down their
work from the
previous day.

8:45 9:00

9:00 9:15

Trainings for
Journalists

Parliament:
Parliament: Faction
Faction Meetings
Meetings and
and Election of
Election of Faction
Faction Leader and
Leader and
Secretary
Secretary

Model European Union Sofia 2014

9:45-10:00

First Panel on TTIP

Council: Opening
Statements
(~2mins)

Council: Opening
Statements
(~2mins)

Parliament:
Opening
Statements

Parliament:
Opening
Statements

Council: Opening
Statements

Council: Opening
Statements

Final Voting

Both Delegates
within a Dimension
Negotiate a Policy
Strategy.

10:00
10:15

Questions from
the Audience

General Debate
Pt.1

General Debate Pt.1

Election of Press
Conference
Representatives
(2+2)

Both Focus Groups

within a Dimension
Create a
Visualization of the
Strategy and the
Proposed Tools,
Recommendations
and Benchmarks

10:15
10:30

Second Panel on
ENP

General Debate
Pt.1

General Debate Pt.1

Final Press
Conference

Both Focus Groups

within a Dimension
Create a
Visualization of the
Strategy and the
Proposed Tools,
Recommendations
and Benchmarks

10:30
10:45

Second Panel on
ENP

General Debate
Pt.1

General Debate Pt.1

Final Press
Conference

Coffee Break

10:45
11:00

Questions from
the Audience

General Debate
Pt.1

General Debate Pt.1

Coffee Break

The Delegates from

Each Dimension
Present Their
Results

Coffee Break

Networking Break
/ Newspaper

Networking Break /
Newspaper

Presentation: What
is a Policy Cycle and
Policy Consulting

The Delegates from

Each Dimension
Present Their
Results

Presentation of
the Policy ThinkTank

General Debate
pt.2

General Debate pt.2

Presentation:
Methods and Goals
of the Policy ThinkTank.Expected

Questions and
Suggestions Session
from the Audience

11:00
11:15

11:15
11:30

Training for
Policy
Facilitators

Model European Union Sofia 2014

outputs.

11:30 11:45

Questions from
the Audience

General Debate
pt.2

General Debate pt.2

Lunch / Rearranging the

Venue

Final Voting in
Plenum with Simple
Majority to Approve
the Proposed Steps

11:45 12:00

Chairs Present
Rules of Procedure

General Debate
pt.2

General Debate pt.2

Lunch / Rearranging the

Venue

Closing Ceremony
Statements, Video
and Photo
Journalists Present
Their Work

12:00 12:15

Chairs Explain
Milestones of the
Debating Schedule

General Debate
pt.2

General Debate pt.2 Opening statements

by Guests.

Distribution of
Certificates

Introduction to the
Think Tank.

Participants decide
on a person who is
going to visualize
the outputs.
12:15 12:30

Mock Debate with

Chairs

General Debate
pt.2

General Debate pt.2

Guidelines by
guests speakers.

Distribution of
Certificates

Participants give a
definition of the
current state of
affairs. Synthesis of
a Problem
Statement.
12:30 12:45

Questions and
answers regarding
the Rules of
Procedure

General Debate
pt.2

General Debate pt.2

Defining the
reasons behind the
problematic.
Defining
the corelation to
the rest of the

Distribution of
Prizes

Model European Union Sofia 2014

dimensions. Naming
and framing of the
actors involved.
Visualization.
12:45 13:00

13:00 13:15

Closing of the First

Part

Election of
Trialogue
Representatives

Election of
Trialogue
Representatives

Brainstorm session
on alterative
scenarios for
potential future
developments of
the state of affairs.
Visualization.

Group Photos

Political
Campaigning in
Greece

Lunch with
Lunch with Catering
Catering / Faction / Faction Meetings
Meetings for MEPs
for MEPs

Participants assess
the scenarios and
create a vision for
an optimal
development.
Definition of an ifhypothesis.
Visualization.

Distribution of
Lunchpacks by the
Catering

13:15 13:30

Lunch / Catering

Lunch with
Lunch with Catering
Catering / Faction / Faction Meetings
Meetings for MEPs
for MEPs

Coffee Break /
Market of Ideas

Meeting in Front Of
House of Europe

13:30 13:45

Lunch / Catering

Sending of
Amendments
online, Trialogue
Meeting

Sending of
Amendments
online, Trialogue
Meeting

Participants discuss
and define a set of
problems that stand
between the
current state of
affairs and the
desired outcome.
Visualization.

Buses Leave to
Plovdiv

13:45 14:00

Visit to Parliament

Sending of
Amendments
online, Trialogue
Meeting

Sending of
Amendments
online, Trialogue
Meeting

What are the

factors behind each
problem? What is
the interest of
different actors
within it?

Visit to Parliament

Debate on
Amendments

Debate on
Amendments

Participants come
up with policy
recommendations
and measurements

14:00 14:15

Lunch

Afternoon GetTogether and

Final Touches

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Model European Union Sofia 2014

14:45 14:30

Visit to Parliament

Debate on
Amendments

Debate on
Amendments

Participants come
up with policy
recommendations
and measurable
benchmarks for
their assessment

14:30 14:45

Visit to Parliament

Debate on
Amendments

Debate on
Amendments

Participants come
up with policy
recommendations
and measurable
benchmarks for
their assessment

14:45 15:00

Visit to Parliament

Debate on
Amendments

Debate on
Amendments

Participants Draw a
Timeline of the
Proposed Actions

15:00 15:15

Going back to Sofia

University

Debate on
Amendments

Debate on
Amendments

Coffe Break and

Switching of Rooms

15:15 15:30

Negotiations
Training

Debate on
Amendments

Debate on
Amendments

Brainstorm session
on alterative
scenarios for
potential future
developments of
the state of affairs.
Visualization.

Arrival in Plovdiv

15:30 15:45

Negotiations
Training

Networking break
to discuss
amendments

Networking break
to discuss
amendments

Participants assess
the scenarios and
create a vision for
an optimal
development.
Definition of a ifhypothesis.

Guided Tour

15:45 - 16:
00

Negotiations
Training

Networking break
to discuss
amendments

Networking break
to discuss
amendments

Coffee Break /
Market of Ideas

Guided Tour

16:00 16:15

Public Speaking
Training

Voting on
Amendments

Voting on
Amendments

Participants discuss
and define a set of
problems that stand
between the
current state of
affairs and the

Guided Tour

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Model European Union Sofia 2014

desired outcome.
Visualization.
16:15 16:30

Public Speaking
Training

Voting on
Amendments

Voting on
Amendments

What are the

factors behind each
problem? What is
the interest of
different actors
within it?

Guided Tour

16:30 16:45

Public Speaking
Training

Voting on
Amendments

Voting on
Amendments

Participants come
up with policy
recommendations
and measurements

Guided Tour

16:45 17:00

Public Speaking
Training

Election of
Representatives
for Press
Conference +
Tomorrows
Defense (2+2
MEPS, 2+2
Ministers)

Election of
Representatives for
Press Conference +
Tomorrows
Defense (2+2 MEPS,
2+2 Ministers)

Participants come
up with policy
recommendations
and measurable
benchmarks for
their assessment

Guided Tour

17:00 17:15

Public Speaking
Training

Press Conference Press Conference in

in Plenum (2 MEPs Plenum (2 MEPs + 2
+ 2 Ministers)
Ministers)

Participants come
up with policy
recommendations
and measurable
benchmarks for
their assessment

Guided Tour

17:15 17:30

Public Speaking
Training

Press Conference Press Conference in

in Plenum (2 MEPs Plenum (2 MEPs + 2
+ 2 Ministers)
Ministers)

Participants Draw a
Timeline of the
Proposed Actions

Guided Tour

17:30
18:30

Sofia Tour

Free Time at
Slavyanska Beseda

Participants Leave
towards the
National Youth
House; Setting up of
the Venue at the
NYH

Guided Tour

18:30
19:15

Sofia Tour

Opening of the
EuroNight;
Presentation of
local food and

Travel Back to Sofia

12

Free Time at
Slavyanska Beseda

Model European Union Sofia 2014

customs
19:15
19:30

Introduction of the
Dimensions of TTIP
and ENP during the
Think-Tank

Presentation of
local food,
beverages and
customs

19:30
19:45

Participants
Register for a
specific Dimension

Cocktail

19:45 20:00

Meeting for
Dinner in front
of Slavyanska
Beseda

Meeting in front of Meeting in front of

the Hotel
the Hotel

Meeting in front of
the Hotel

Country
Presentations

20:00
20:15

Leave towards
OShipka

Leave towards
Divaka

Leave towards
Bulgarian Night
Venue

Country
Presentations

Arrival at Sofia

20:15
22:30

Dinner + Karaoke

Dinner

Dinner

Cocktail and Chat

Farewell Dinner in
Divaka

After 22:30

Dinner + Karaoke

Free Time

Dinner

Leaving off to Club

Gramophone

Farewell Drinks in
Students Town

13

Model European Union Sofia 2014

Background Information
City of Sofia
Sofia is Bulgarias capital and its largest city. Founded thousands of years ago, today the city continues to
develop as the countrys cultural and economic center. At present, the city has a population of 1,250,000.
The city is located at a strategic crossroads. The route from Western Europe to Istanbul passes through Sofia
via Beograd and Skopje, then through Plovdiv to Turkey. Sofia also connects The Near East and The Middle
East, lying between the banks of The Danube and the shores of The White Sea on the one hand, and between
The Black Sea and The Adriatic on the other.
Sofia preserves many valuable monuments to its long and storied past. Visitors exploring the citys streets can
see remnants of The Eastern Gate from the days when Sofia was Serdika and Sredets, dating from the 2nd4th centuries CE. These remains are exhibited in the underpass connecting the Presidential Palace and The
Ministerial Council, surrounded by shops selling traditional Bulgarian souvenirs and rosewater.
More information about the sights of the town and famous places you will find on the tourist materials you will
be provided, as well as on: http://bulgariatravel.org/en/object/234/sofia

House of Europe
The House of Europe is the place that gives shelter to the Representation of the European Commission
in Bulgaria and to the Information Office of the European Parliament in Bulgaria. It was built in 2013 in a
bright new and extravagant manner. It is situated in the city center on 124 G. Rakovski Street, Sofia.
Phone: +359 2 933 5237

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Model European Union Sofia 2014

Sofia University
The Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski is the first higher educational institution in Bulgaria. Its
history is an embodiment and a continuation of centuries of cultural and educational tradition in this
country. Public teaching activities in Bulgaria date back to the second half of the 9th century.
During

the

Bulgarian

Renaissance,

new idea for opening a School

of

Higher

Education was

conceived. The prestige of the School of Higher Education grew rapidly with the cultural and
educational mission it acquired after the Liberation in 1878. Year by year the Sofia University has
developed into an important academic and scientific centre on the Balkans, a well developed academic
institution with European dimensions. Today Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski is the largest and
most prestigious educational and scientific centre in the country. Its main building is situated at 15
Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. The Faculties of Mathematics and Informatics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology,
Journalism and Mass Communication, Theology, Economics and Business Administration, and
Preschool and Primary School Education are spread over several campuses around Sofia.
We will visit Sofia University on Monday for welcome and opening speeches and introduction activities.
The address where you will find the Sofia University is: 1504 Sofia, 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.

15

Model European Union Sofia 2014

National Youth House

Address: 10 Narodno Sabranie Square

Phone: 02 987 22 86

16

Model European Union Sofia 2014

Sofia Cuisine and Nightlife
Restaurants
Monday Restaurant O!Shipka

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Model European Union Sofia 2014

Tuesday and Friday Divaka Restaurant

Address: 16 Hristo Belchev Str.

Phone: +359 88 821 9087

18

Model European Union Sofia 2014

Wednesday Hadzhidraganovite Izbi

Address 18 Hristo Belchev Str.

Phone: +359 2 981 8148

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Model European Union Sofia 2014

Thursday Euro night National Youth House

Clubs
Thursday Gramophone

Address: 6 Budapesta Str.

Phone: +359 2 981 1410

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Model European Union Sofia 2014

Plovdiv
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria and an administrative center of Plovdiv County. It is situated
in the Upper Thracian Plain (Gornotrakiyska Nizina), on the both banks of the Maritsa river. The
population of the city is about 350,000 people. In 2014 it was awarded with European Culture Capital
2019.
Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe the beginning of its history dates back to 4,000 years BC. In
the beginning the ancient settlement was situated on the natural elevation between Nebet, Taksim and
Dzhambaz hills (the Three Hills). In ancient times Thracians inhabited the Three Hills and built a fortified
settlement the largest city in Thrace. In the 4th century BC Plovdiv was conquered by Phillip of
Macedonia. He gave the city one of its many names Phillipopolis, and had it surrounded by thick
fortified walls. Later the Thracians regained their power over the city, but after a series of battles in the
1st century AD it became a part the Roman Empire.
During the period of the Roman Empire, Plovdiv (at those times Trimontium) was an important
regional center. The city flourished with a large-scale construction of buildings, facilities and roads.
Numerous well-preserved artifacts had remained from those times, such as cobble stoned streets,
fortress walls, buildings, water supply and sewerage systems.
he city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country and a cultural and economic center
of southern Bulgaria. There are many accommodation options here from luxurious hotels to hostels.
The main street of the city offers excellent opportunities for entertainment and shopping; the
restaurants options are numerous.
More information you will find on: http://bulgariatravel.org/en/object/306/plovdiv_grad

Practical Information
Public Transport
For your stay in Sofia you will be provided with public transport tickets for the entire period. Pay
attention that when you enter into the bus/tram/electric bus you have to perforate your ticket. Recent
information about the public transport schedule you can find on:
http://www.sofiatraffic.bg/en/transport/virtual-tables

Money exchange
The Bulgarian national currency is Bulgarian Lev (BGN). 1 EUR is approximately equal to 1.96 BGN. Our
advice is to exchange your money only in banks and not at the exchange burros.

Basic Bulgarian
Good Morning Dobro utro

Good Afternoon- Dobur den

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Model European Union Sofia 2014

Good Evening- Dobur vecher
Hello- Zdravei
Excuse me- izvinyavai
I`m sorry- izvinyavai
Please- molya
Thank you- Blagodarya/Merci

I don`t understand- Ne razbiram

Welcome- Dobre doshul
Street Ulitza
House of Europe- Dom na Evropa
Dinner- vecherya
How are you- Kak si

Weather forecast
At the end of November winter has just arrived in Bulgaria. So, please, take your coats and jackets, pulls
and boots and be prepared for temperatures around and under 5C degrees.

22