The impact of european integration on agricultural commodities trading in the periphery of the European union

The object of this study is Bulgaria's trade in agricultural goods with neighboring Balkan countries, and its subject is to reveal the nature, prerequisites, development and impact of integration processes on trade in agricultural goods in the peripheral regions of the EU. The aim of the study is the relations of Bulgaria with the neighboring Balkan countries in the field of trade in agricultural goods and the assessment of the impact of the CAP on the dynamics of peripheral regionalism in the studied region. To achieve this goal, it is required to solve the following research tasks: 1. Characterization of the peripheral regionalism and assessment of the “center-periphery” relation in the EU; 2. Analysis of the instruments for regulation of peripheral regionalism in the EU; 3. Analysis of the trade aspects of the peripheral economies in the European Community; 4. Identification of the changes in the trade in agricultural goods between Bulgaria and the neighboring Balkan countries. 5. Analysis of the socio-economic consequences of the implementation of peripheral regionalism in Bulgaria and its neighboring countries; 6. Assessing the impact of the CAP on peripheral regionalism. Based on the research work and the application of a number of approaches, methods and analyzes, the following scientific and scientific-applied contributions have been achieved: 1. As a result of an analysis of the opinions of various authors on the essence of the concept of "regionalism", a definition is derived in the context of the understanding of regionalism as a correction of the negative deviations from the idea of ??establishing universality. 2. Based on a study of regional cooperation, the impact of European integration on trade in agricultural goods in the peripheral regions of the EU has been examined. In this regard, the trade relations between Bulgaria and the neighboring Balkan countries are characterized, the prerequisites for increasing trade flows and the change in the relations "periphery - center" are presented. 3. A methodological approach to the effects of peripheral regionalism is substantiated, systematizing the socio-economic effects and the transmission of disturbances. The intensified processes of globalization and integration and the highly regulated European market pose serious challenges and restrictions to Bulgarian agriculture and the need to change the structure of trade relations. 4. The implementation of the CAP in Bulgaria is analyzed in terms of its impact on Bulgarian agriculture and trade in agricultural goods. On the one hand, European regional policy helps agribusiness to achieve efficiency indicators comparable to those of the leading European countries, and on the other hand, there are some distortions. 5. The analysis of the application of the CAP in Bulgaria gives grounds for the conclusion that it could be significantly more effective if measures related to the production of high value-added products are stimulated and lead to the inclusion of agriculture in the food chain. This monograph is based on a dissertation thesis, defended on 15.12.2017 at the D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics at a meeting of the Scientific Jury.