On 2 Novemeber, Francisco J. Maturana, headteacher of Sant Josep Obrer and lecturer in Applied Economics at the University of the Balearic Islands, visited Emilian Stanev School to deliver a series of seminars to teachers and students. His lesson focused on the economic foundations of European integration.
Within the framework of the Jean Monnet EUAMI programme, Sant Josep Obrer School (Palma de Mallorca) and Emilian Stanev School (Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria) intensified their cooperation this autumn with a high-level academic exchange.
The session came at a key moment for Bulgaria, which is set to become the 21st country to adopt the euro on 1 January 2026. Maturana guided students through the implications of this transition, posing questions such as: What are the differences between the EU, the eurozone and the Schengen area? Are EU member states obliged to join the euro? What are the real advantages and the potential drawbacks of the single currency?
His seminars also connected euro adoption to broader processes of EU integration, emphasising the economic strength required to sustain the Union’s social, political and normative ambitions. According to Maturana, “economic might is the backbone that enables the EU to promote human rights, manage migration and invest in its future”.
During his stay, Maturana was welcomed by teachers Nina Mineva and Gabriela Petrova, together with the school’s management team. The visit reconfirmed Emilian Stanev School’s reputation as one of the top institutions in the region.
