NEWS

The President in Strasbourg: Bulgaria Will Continue to Support the Promotion of European Values in Southeast Europe

The Bulgarian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers at the Council of Europe has clear priorities and will focus on their implementation. This is what President Rosen Plevneliev said after the meeting he held with the newly-elected President of PACE Pedro Argamunt in Strasbourg. The delegation led by the President also includes Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov. The Head of State emphasized that our country will continue to support the promotion of European values, human rights protection and the rule of law in Southeast Europe, as well as the process of EU and NATO enlargement.

“Bulgaria is a regional factor of stability and pursues a balanced foreign policy, based on European values,” Rosen Plevneliev said. The President pointed out that our country has reasons to be proud as an example of tolerance in the region and highlighted the efforts made to develop friendly and good-neighborly relations with all countries from Southeast Europe.

The Head of State said that not only the Balkans, but also Europe is facing a considerable number of crises, which have to be promptly solved. “We should clearly specify these problems and through holding a dialogue, based on our values, we should seek a common solution. This is what the Bulgarian chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers at the Council of Europe will focus on,” Rosen Plevneliev further commented. The Head of State congratulated Pedro Argamunt on his election as president of PACE and voiced Bulgaria’s support for establishing united Europe as a unique project for safeguarding human rights and peace.

Finding sustainable solutions under conditions of a crisis is possible only if the rule of law is observed, was the common position shared by the Head of State and Tornbjorn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe. President Plevneliev pointed out that currently in Europe a lot of populist formations try capitalize on the idea of safeguarding the national interests of their countries. However, the supreme national interest is namely preserving peace and the rule of law. “This is what the founders of united Europe considered the most important value 70 years ago and Bulgaria will continue to adhere to these principles,” the Head of State said. Rosen Plevneliev highlighted that conveying this message to every Balkan and European country is of key importance.

“The independent judiciary is a key factor for counteracting corruption, guaranteeing the rule of law and the protection of democratic rights in Europe,” Tornbjorn Jagland told the Head of State and voiced his support for holding a meeting of the European ministers in Sofia, dedicated to the independence of the judiciary. The Council of Europe will also support the top-level conference on the rights of the child which will be held in Sofia. The President also held a meeting with Nils Muiznieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights and Jean-Clause Frecon, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.

President Plevneliev’s working visit to Strasbourg will continue with the statement the Head of State will make before the Parliamentary Assembly, after which parliamentarians will ask questions.