At a ceremony in the Bulgarian resort town of Sveti Vlas, the Polish Ambassador to Bulgaria, Maciej Szymański, symbolically handed over the presidency of the Council of the EU to the Danish Ambassador, Flemming Stender. Denmark will take over the leadership of the Council for the next six months from 1 July. Vice-President Iliana Yotova attended the event.

Ambassador Szymański described Poland's presidency as challenging but successful. “The EU is like a ship that changes its captain every six months. During the Polish presidency, our goal was to ensure better protection, stability and direction for the EU,” he said.

The diplomats laid flowers in front of bas-reliefs depicting Vasil Levski, Hristo Botev, Adam Mickiewicz and Hans Christian Andersen, which are located in the Alley of Nations in Sveti Vlas. BTA reported that the ceremony ended with a festive symphony concert in the resort's amphitheatre.