The ongoing tension in Ukraine raises deep concern in the international community. In the current situation the EU and NATO should firmly state that “they will not allow the 19th century practice to be restored, whereby the superpowers split up territories and declared them a periphery and a sphere of their own interests.” This is what President Rosen Plevneliev told journalists in the National Assembly. The Head of State and Vice-president Margarita Popova attended a solemn plenary session of the National Assembly to commemorate 135 years since the Turnovo constitution was adopted.
The President was adamant that it is only the people of Ukraine that have the right to decide alone their future. “I hope the Bulgarian people have drawn their conclusions from the Berlin Congress. Is it possible that in the 21st century the superpowers will sit and decide how to form a Ukraine that will be a split territory and a periphery,” the Head of State asked.
In reply to a question, Rosen Plevneliev emphasized that Bulgaria is an active NATO member state and is working to ensure that the Alliance’s plans on reactions in times of crisis will be updated. “We should build up our defense capabilities,” the President said and emphasized the role of the Euro-Atlantic solidarity for protecting Bulgaria’s security. The President further pointed out the need to make investments in modernizing the Armed Forces and to reduce the dependence of the investment projects in the Bulgarian army on one single supplier.
The Head of State denied the allegations that his attitude to the legislative activities of the parliament is biased. Rosen Plevneliev recalled that since the 42nd National Assembly was convened, he has signed 107 decrees on promulgating legislative amendments and he has imposed a veto a mere seven times. “The parliament seemingly failed to hear the counter-arguments when it discussed overturning an imposed veto,” the President further stressed and called on for holding a high-quality debate in such cases, which would serve the public interests and those of parliamentary democracy.
The President further voiced his concern about the cases involving the misuse of personal data at the parties’ and coalitions’ registration for the elections for European Parliament. He also voiced his hope that the competent institutions will promptly conduct a check and the guilty will be punished.
Rosen Plevneliev further called on for holding a debate within the pre-election campaign on the actions Bulgaria should take after the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism is no longer effective. “I hope that after that the MEPs Bulgaria elects will show that they can defend a common position,” the Head of State further said.