NEWS

Statement by President Rosen Plevneliev at the meeting of the Consultative Council for National Security

It is evident from the submitted reports and analyses that the current threats to national security can be summarized in the following groups:

1. Middle East crisis raises threats and risks to national security, the main risk being the increased migration pressure and its associated risks, such as raising the threat level of penetration in the country of persons linked to terrorist groups and organized crime, and the xenophobic wave caused by migration and the use of hate speech.

2. Risk of inadequate resources in the responsible institutions to meet the challenges and the need to build on their capacity.

3. Risk to the country's energy security in relation to the tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

4. The severe socio-political crisis in the country with the potential to escalate and the strong consequent negative impacts on society including continued low public trust in institutions and the growing division in society.

The Syrian conflict has led to the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. The crisis continues to grow in the medium term and the problems could compound in the case of another civil war in the region; regional conflict or the destabilizing in any of Syria’s neighbouring countries. There is a need for an integrated and systematic approach to limit current risks through integrated actions and shared resources by the competent institutions of the executive. Problems with illegal immigration and asylum seekers are well known in Europe and other developed countries. Analyzing migration and refugee waves to European countries, we note that previously Bulgaria was not among the preferred destinations. Increased migration pressures today puts the country on trial for the first time in the democratic transition. This is a serious test that we must endure. This is the first area of consensus where I believe we can unite today. We need to make a realistic assessment of the readiness of institutions to reorganize their work and if necessary, to improve their coordination and build on their capacity. It is important to use the potential of special services more fully for preventive efforts in order to be better prepared for the future. The past few months have shown us clearly where the weaknesses in our system are. At the same time, there is the European experience from which we can learn. European solidarity has enough support mechanisms. This is the second area of consensus I believe we can achieve. We must coordinate the foreign policy commitments of the President, the Government and every one of us in respect of the refugee crisis. We must unite behind foreign policy priorities and initiatives related to the crisis, such as:

1. Active participation in the formation of the common position of the European Union to resolve the crisis in Syria – Forthcoming negotiations Geneva 2.

2. The European Union is donor number One with more than 2 billion Euros contributed in this crisis. This policy should be continued in order to ensure humanitarian aid inside Syria, stimulating refugees to stay in Syria.

3. Providing aid and assistance from the European Union for Bulgaria - technical, material, financial, expertise, aid under Frontex, EU funds, operational programs and others.

4. In parallel to ensuring assistance from the EU, we need to mobilize Bulgarian bilateral diplomacy to receive support from the European Union member states.

5. Co-ordinating our efforts with Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and other countries using the upcoming Greek and Italian presidency in 2014 to form a pan-European policy on refugee crises.

The difficulties we are currently experiencing show us the importance of being active in the work of European institutions. We must request a common European approach to refugees to be adopted and for common rules for sharing responsibility for refugee crises. We must also work to conclude readmission agreements with neighboring EU countries agreements not achievable by member states on their own, but which the EU can achieve together. Now our country must combine all its resources not just to deal with this wave of refugees, but also to prepare adequately for what follows. The analysis shows that, despite recent developments in the military conflict in Syria, we have no reason to believe that the refugee wave will decrease in the foreseeable future. Moreover, it is possible to have new waves of migrants from other points of conflict. It is important to take measures now, but even more important that they are aligned with long-term forecasts. Institutions need to review the long-term strategic documents in this area and consider whether to update them on the basis of comprehensive and long-term analysis of the migration situation in the region and the world. I believe we can agree on this issue.

It is important to ensure the proper functioning of institutions protecting national security. We have already been alerted by the Services with facts and arguments, that their budgets for next year are insufficient and that will severely hamper their work on the protection of national security. Careful analysis must be made of the trend of reducing defense budgets both at home and in our allied countries. This trend could lead to a lack of funds for the modernization of the Bulgarian armed forces and seriously weaken the capacity or even the ability to carry out national and international missions and tasks. Being a NATO member does not mean that the defense of our country is free. We should devote resources to the modernizing and upgrading of capacity.

Problems faced by the state in relation to migration processes highlight more and more clearly another threat to our country. There is a growing wave of pseudo patriotism, ultra-nationalism, xenophobia and more widespread use of the language of hatred. This kind of behaviour relies on the natural distrust of anything we do not know, fuelled by the difficulties we experience in trying to build institutions that work effectively and are open to the people. The huge responsibility today for all politicians who identify themselves as pro-European and democratic, is not to let this wave of hatred erode our society from within. When the fundamental values of our society are threatened, we all need to leave the daily political battles, disputes about the left and right path of development and oppose the greater threat to the country and to Europe today. I therefore urge each of us to assume responsibility, so that we do not allow endangering of the ethnic peace in our country. This is the most serious challenge to national security. Let’s learn from history, the history of our neighbours that shows the consequences of inciting ethnic hatred. Bulgarian patriotism historically has always had a European focus and has always rested in the most democratic and humanistic principles. We live in a time when the value system of the Bulgarian elite and the Bulgarian people as a whole are put to the test. Only actions will prove that we are compassionate and tolerant, that we stand for united and strong Europe, that people and institutions have the will and the power to resolve crises.

I hope that we will all unite today and will call on political parties to abandon the use of hate speech and stop playing on people's fears. Because, hatred shouts and good will whispers. Unfortunately, misconstrued Bulgarian nationalism and xenophobia undermine basic values of the Bulgarian people as tolerance, hospitality and humanity; it works for the division of Bulgarian society and fuels European nationalism and xenophobia, which today are also anti-Bulgarian - Bulgaria is not admitted in Schengen, Bulgarians cannot work in the West, cannot be admitted to social systems. Let's make a distinction between those fleeing from war and illegal immigrants. Let us come together and not allow the creation of artificial tension on the refugee problem. Let us abandon the populist rhetoric regarding refugees and lead an honest and open dialogue in our society, based on European attitudes and Bulgarian tolerance. Let us make every effort to stop the division in society. It is normal to have the opposition left-right, but I do not agree that it must be done at all costs. The price of political success is not the division of the nation. Party leaders must decide what is more important - party success for itself or a strategic path including the causes we protect and the values we bequeath to the next generation.
 
The increased flow of refugees into the country is a fact. The correct approach is institutional, not populist. Real problems have to be explained and measures for addressing them proposed by an open dialogue. Is there increased crime in areas where refugees are settled? Are there epidemics? Is there a real danger to the health of the population in these areas? Will aid to refugees affect people's income or employment? Institutions must present the facts to the public and not be silent - this requires a good communication strategy. We must convince the nation of the ability of institutions to deal with the situation. If it is necessary to construct new places in which to shelter refugees, let these issues be addressed in an open dialogue with the local authority and the local community from the outset. Let us provide mechanisms for increased investment in the country, including through EU funds in these areas. Radicalization of public attitudes is a serious problem. Escalation of xenophobia, attacks on foreign and Bulgarian citizens create potential conflicts which can lead to intractable long-term negative consequences, including to the country's reputation, economy, investment and more.

The refugee wave found our country in the midst of an unprecedented crisis of confidence - of citizens in the institutions, among the political forces themselves, of the general public in politicians. Every Bulgarian politician should be worried about the attempts to divide people, to antagonize them, to encourage counter protests, to send counter-students to oppose students and counter-citizens to oppose citizens. Protests have existed and will continue to exist. However, counter protests are a Bulgarian innovation and it is well worth while to consider the effects of their widespread use today.

Another serious risk to national security is Bulgaria's energy dependence. Complicated relations between Russia and Ukraine are a well-known fact. We experienced the consequences in the winter of 2008. Institutions should refer to this problem responsibly and speed up work on the diversification of energy supply, take action to provide the necessary reserves for the Bulgarian economy and households. If the crisis of a few years ago is repeated, this time we will suffer more severely because the economy and the people will not be able to withstand such pressure. This requires preventive action - clear analysis and plans to deal with a crisis in the supply of gas.

Asymmetric threats and their most dangerous form - hybrid threats, especially in this global environment, continue to pose a real threat to Bulgaria. The terrorist act of July 18, 2012 at the Burgas airport, with the resulting loss of life and material damage was a serious trial for the Bulgarian people. We must make sure that the institutions have made their conclusions and acted to minimize future risks.

Today's Consultative Council is a good base from which to send messages to the Bulgarian society in a different tone, to show that we can reach an agreement in the interest of the nation.

Let the CCNS today show that there is a political will to agree on at least one high priority such as the security of our nation.