NEWS

President Plevneliev: the War in Syria Should be Stopped by all Means

“The position of Bulgaria and the whole democratic world on the situation in Syria is categorical: a dictator who bombs thousands of people and innocent children cannot be part of a stable and workable solution of the crisis in Syria. We welcome the dialogue between the US and Russia and the fact that the UN Security Council is trying to find a solution. However, the process is not an easy one and it will not at all be as quick as we would like it to be.” This is what President Rosen Plevneliev told Bulgarian media in New York before the beginning of the summit on counteracting ISIL, organized under the initiative of US President Barack Obama.

The Head of State said that there are still differences after the US-Russia meeting held yesterday. “It is here that I see the essential role of the EU, which is strongly interested in a solution being found and which may efficiently help the US, on the one hand, and Russia on the other, and also of the regional powers, the role of which is not less important. I mean Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, those regional powers, together with the global powers, through the mediation and mission for peace of the EU, should find a lasting solution. Apparently the puzzle is great, Syria is the decisive factor for achieving progress in the Middle East,” President Plevneliev commented.

“We see the worst scenario every day. Millions of people leaving their homes because they are afraid for their lives. This can be only the beginning. The challenges are great. We should explicitly say that what we see is a tragedy. The war in Syria should be stopped by all means, immediately, and the world community should wake up. The correct place to make a decision is the UN Security Council. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said it clear that he would do his best to seek a long-term solution. Unfortunately, the US and Russia cannot adopt similar positions on this issue, we expect the EU and other countries to play a more active role. It is high time the world showed its ability, its willingness to solve crises, not to aggravate them,” the Head of State said.

President Rosen Plevneliev’s program continues with a meeting to be held with the leaders of the Adriatic, Baltic and Black Sea regions.