NEWS

End-of-term News Conference Given by Head of State Rosen Plevneliev

Esteemed Mrs. Vice-president,
Esteemed Representatives of the Media,

An undoubtedly very difficult, yet worthy and successful term in office is over. This was a term in office in a period of extreme instability in the country and across the world. On the international arena, we witnessed a record number of conflicts, migrants and terror acts, a plethora of parallel crises ongoing in the region, in Europe and in the world. In domestic terms, the extremely serious political confrontation resulted in parliamentary crises, low public trust in the institutions and civil protests. Throughout my term in office I worked with five governments and three parliaments. The years 2013 and 2014 were particularly critical, when five governments and three parliaments succeeded within the space of just two years. I was the first Bulgarian president who appointed two caretaker governments, during a single mandate at that. They brought peace and calm to society at large and helped the state successfully weather the crises. During this difficult term in office, the presidential institution was the pillar of stability and a guarantee for continuity in politics.

During a part of my term in office, the whole power was in my hands and the state was bolstered by the presidential institution. The president's personality is particularly important in such times. The ability to take a principled stance, and cooperate not only with the political parties but also with the civil society in order to preserve civil peace at such a critical moment and guarantee a successful transition to a new parliament and government is essential. I was the first Bulgarian president that had to face three extraordinary political and parliamentary crises in a row, as well as two caretaker governments and two waves of civil protests within a single tenure.

I clearly said: “The presidential institution is not an institution of the policy of the strong hand but of a balanced one. The meaning of politics is to empower the people. You should not shift borders but be able to think beyond borders. You should integrate the people and not divide them, you should defend principles and not interests.” I supported the people. I launched the “Dialogue with the citizens” initiative and was the first president who regularly organized and held public debates as the most direct form of dialogue between the people and the Head of State. During the caretaker governments we established an “electoral board”, an authority which should allow for civil participation in the decision-making process involving the preparation of elections. We set up public councils at every ministry. For me, active civil society was an indispensable partner in the process of making governance-related decisions. During the massive anti-monopoly protests staged in Bulgaria, I went to the protesters, invited them in the president’s office and we tackled the hardships together.

I introduced direct democracy in the country. I am proud to be the first Bulgarian president who initiated a referendum. It was during my mandate that the first three national referendums were held. Other presidents promised referendums, but I initiated them. Many times I called for listening to the vox populi, instead of engaging in vote-buying. I am happy to have made such contribution.

Many things happened for the first time during this term in office. The list is very long and you will frequently hear the wording “for the first time” in my statement. I was the first Bulgarian president who said that he no longer trusted the government and the party forming the government, after an outrageous act of behind-the-scene dealings. I was the first president to refuse to attend the oath swearing ceremony of a constitutional judge, who was suspected of lacking integrity and morality.  I was the first president to leave the presidential post enjoying good relations with the party and the party leader that nominated me. I was the first president to implement strategic planning in the state and to reach full consensus on the National program for development “Bulgaria 2020". We also launched the debate on the “Bulgaria 2030" program. I knew we could achieve results on the national priorities only if we build on them and seek consensus on them. I called for dropping the pointless political confrontation as a not-learned lesson from the transition period. A third government in a row is already implementing the National program for development “Bulgaria 2020” and I have ensured this continuity. Things were different in the past when each government called into question the priorities set by the previous one.

A president should look ahead and set the direction. I set strategic national priorities such as innovations, e-government and e-voting, modernization and connectivity, the dual education system, energy efficiency, liberalization and diversification. We successfully introduced the first innovation ecosystem and established the first high-tech park in Bulgaria and in the Balkans. Our main priority was to develop the ICT, outsourcing and car-building industries and during my mandate more than 70,000 new and well-paid jobs were created.

I pursued an active economic diplomacy. For instance, after my official visit to China, the bilateral trade over the following three years doubled, as did the trade with Turkey. The trade with Romania saw a manifold increase. I visited Germany more than once – we reached a record trade worth more than 6.3 billion euros. Germany is now our largest market and we reached an agreement on the construction of tens of new German factories. I am proud that I am the first Bulgarian president who ensured gas supplies from an alternative source – 1 million cubic meters from Azerbaijan.  Furthermore, I participated in turning the first sod of the Southern Gas Corridor – a real diversification from which the Bulgarian companies will gain a lot.  In 2013, hundreds of thousands of Bulgarians took to the streets to protest against the energy monopolies, and at the end of the mandate, the energy market is fully liberalized and households and companies are now free to choose their own electricity supplier. For the first time we are exploring our own natural gas sources in the Black Sea shelf, so I would like to thank all politicians for this courageous act, from which our country may gain a lot.

We set modernization and connectivity as our strategic national and regional priority under the motto of “We are building a modern Bulgaria.” I have reiterated that Bulgaria is strong only when it is connected and integrated and not isolated. As minister I took on the commitment to complete the construction of the first three highways in Bulgaria and I fulfilled this vow. I take pride in the fact that it is during my mandate that the most comprehensive modernization program is under way, highways and waste treatment plants are being built, the  metro and thousands of other projects are implemented.

The economy is expanding. We now are now boasting of the second highest growth rate among the EU member-states of 3.6 percent. The unemployment rate has dropped to a record low of 7.1 percent, according to Eurostat. There is no deficit, and Bulgaria finished the 2016 fiscal year with a budget surplus of 1.6 percent.  The state budget reserve is record high, as well as the growth of exports. The Health Insurance Fund is no longer in the red, the National Electrical Company is apparently recovering, as a result of the pension reform, the pension model has been improved. Revenues from tourism and the number of tourists have reached record highs.  I am proud to have contributed my modest contribution to the extremely positive balance in the first programming period, in which 96 percent of the EU funds were absorbed.  Bulgaria is now running a budget surplus of 17 billion leva. Today Bulgaria is enjoying the trust of the markets and boasts a record low of its interest rate on national debt. Interest rates on loans for households have also hit record lows.

For the first time in 17 years, our country faced a bank crisis and then I put on the agenda the issue of the oligarchic model of the economy and the merger of business, politics and media. The caretaker government I appointed, headed by Marin Raykov, introduced rules for transparency in the management of public funds that serves the interests of the Bulgarian people, not those of the oligarchs.

Since the very first day of my term in office, I identified e-government as a strategic priority and a strong tool to fight the oligarchy. I clearly said: “When we are working with the people’s money, there is nothing to hide.” That was the way I acted as minister when I invited “Transparency Without Borders”, the world leader in fighting corruption, to hold a public tender for the construction of the Trakiya motorway.  As a result billions of leva were saved. I would like more politicians to follow suit.

The reform conducted in the energy sector resulted in a gradual recovery of the sector. A pension reform was implemented with the aim of upgrading the pension model in the country. An important step in reforming the education system was the adopted Preschool and School Education Act.  The project for the introduction of a dual vocational training system was launched and I was its patron.  Years on end I held disputes with three parliaments, and finally the 43rd National Assembly passed the package of laws in the security sector, on which a consensus was reached at the Consultative Council for National Security.  Thus the existence and functioning of key services in the national security system were placed on a principled basis.

An important step ahead was made in reforming the judiciary by amending the Constitution and the Judicial Power Act. The introduction of the first package of amendments of the Judicial Power Act involving the split of the Supreme Judicial Council into two chambers and the judges’ self-governance is undoubtedly a positive step in the right direction. The highly relevant public topic today is social justice. We are all indebted to the Bulgarian people. We all bear our responsibility for the low public trust in the courts, the Prosecutor’s Office and the institutions. We need solutions and results. We need urgent actions to ensure more social justice.

Internationally, I have been pursuing a consistent and firm policy in favor of Bulgaria's active and worthy membership in the EU and NATO. As a convinced European, I said clearly at the very beginning that, to me, the EU is not foreign policy, it is my family. And I have acted this way throughout my term in office.  As President, a staunch democrat and European, I did my best to support a united and strong Europe that should weather the crises and become stronger from them.

I took a principled stance in support of the international legal order and against Crimea's unlawful annexation by the Russian Federation and against the frozen conflicts instigated by Moscow. I have stated clearly: “the fact that I am the first democratically elected Bulgarian president who persistently and firmly opposed  the Russian president does not make me a “hawk” by any means . Rather, it makes me a politician and a citizen with a stance. I draw a distinction between the Russian President and the Russian people, between the Kremlin and Russia.  I love Russia but I disapprove of the policy pursued by the Russian President”.

I have been pursuing a consistent policy to promote equality and the rule of law in all aspects of our relations with Russia. I have spared no criticism towards the Russian President for his policy of reallocation of spheres of influence. This is a very dangerous policy that brought about two world wars, the Berlin Congress and the Yalta conference, which humiliated and divided Bulgaria. My vision is completely different –Bulgaria and the Balkans should undergo a historic transformation from countries in the Great Powers’ sphere of interest to being an integral part of united Europe.

I was the Bulgarian representative at the historic European Council held in August 2014, where I supported the sanctions imposed on Russia after Crimea's occupation and annexation. Bulgaria’s clear position at this difficult moment was highly appreciated by all European leaders. I supported the sanctions, yet I was the only Head of State who attended the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Sochi, as a sign of support for the Olympic movement and against linking sports with politics. I was adamant: “Bulgaria is the master of its own fate, yet it is the duty of each one of us to prevent Europe from going back to the time of the Berlin congress, when some Great Powers played with the fate of the small and weak countries and those in the periphery. Today the clashes in Europe are based on values – some countries believe in the rule of law while others believe in the rule of interests and geopolitics. The 21st century needs new ideas, and not harking back to flawed ideologies of the past.”

Throughout my mandate, I faced a lot of challenges. I believed that: “At times of hardship and trials, holding back from taking a stance or keeping a low profile until the storm subsides is no option.” That is why political leadership is so important, as you firmly defend your stance and uphold your values and beliefs.

I pursued an extremely active foreign policy so that our country is positioned as a visible factor on the international scene that cannot be ignored. I represented our country at the highest international forums and thus ensured the high visibility of Bulgaria's positions on topical international issues. I delivered keynote speeches in the European Parliament, PACE, the UN, UNESCO, the European Institute in Harvard, Chatham House, the diplomatic academies in Berlin and Vienna, the first Berlin Global Forum, the Forum of the German Family Business, the Third and Fourth Global Forum in Baku, and many others. I participated as a keynote speaker in international events on different topics. I was welcomed with open arms in the whole world and was awarded the highest state orders of tens of countries. These awards are for the Bulgarian people and will remain here in the Presidential library.

I took part in five sessions of the UN General Assembly, three NATO summits  and I visited the Vatican four times. For three years in a row I participated in the Munich Security Conference and I am the first Bulgarian President to attend the presidential debate at the World Conference on Security Issues.

I contributed to Bulgaria’s reaffirmation of its position as a reliable ally and partner, a guarantee for peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic space and the European values. I pursued a balanced and principled foreign policy. During my term in office, Bulgaria was a good neighbor in the region, a reliable partner in the EU and a strong ally in NATO. I defended the values on which post-war Europe rests and strongly condemned any disregard for the principles and norms of international law and the rule of law. I am proud to be the first Bulgarian President chosen person of the year in a foreign country.  

I felt deeply honored to be invited to be member of the Arraiolos group  of presidents with representative functions in the EU. I hosted the meeting of the group in 2016, at which presidents pooled their efforts to find solutions to issues pertaining to the future of the EU and the Balkans. I would like to thank the whole team. From all rostrums I made the appeal that the EU is our family, and that at difficult moments a family unites and each family member should contribute to injecting a new dose of trust in the unique project for peace and democracy in Europe.

I assumed the chairmanship of SEECP, the leading political format in the Balkans. The chairmanship was assessed as extremely successful and this positions Bulgaria as a leader and unignorable factor in the Balkans.  It was a sign of due recognition for me to be elected as person of the year in the Balkans in 2015.
Our chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe was also a tremendous success. I delivered a hallmark speech at PACE on the issues on the European and regional agenda. During the Bulgarian chairmanship, I set the following priorities – connectivity, the rights of the child and finding a pan-European solution to the migration pressure.  Reaching a consensus by all 47 member states on the Sofia strategy on the rights of the child of the council of Europe until 2021 was a great diplomatic success for the Bulgarian state.

I am proud to be the first Bulgarian Head of State, representing Bulgaria in the UN General Assembly for five years in a row. Compared to the other Bulgarian presidents, I have made the greatest number of statements, namely 16, from the highest rostrum in the world. On behalf of Bulgaria, I signed two world agreements of historic importance – the Global Agreement to Fight Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals of the planet until 2030.  I delivered a keynote speech in the European Parliament, which was strongly approved in the country and across the world.

The major aim of my international agenda was to intensify the relations with Bulgaria's traditional partners outside Europe and to open new markets.

During my official visits to many countries, the bilateral relations were raised to a new and higher level. For instance, a comprehensive friendly partnership and cooperation with China was established. A joint declaration on a comprehensive and future-oriented partnership with the Republic of Korea was signed. We signed a joint declaration on a strategic partnership with Vietnam and an Annex to it called “New model of economic cooperation”. We raised the relations with Azerbaijan to the level of strategic partnership. Our strategic partnership with the United States, Turkey and other countries was additionally strengthened and reconfirmed. Special attention was paid to restoring Bulgaria's positions on traditional markets in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. Today Bulgarian exports are the major engine of economic growth and their increase was also due to the expediency and efforts of the Bulgarian diplomacy.

During my term in office, Bulgaria's foreign policy reached a peak for the Bulgarian Head of State. The international visits and participations in international forums and conferences were 123 in number. A record high number of foreign heads of state visited the country the last year of my mandate – 25 presidents visited Bulgaria in a year. Undoubtedly, this is recognition of our efforts, active stance and goodwill.  Furthermore, it is recognition of our contribution to finding solution and evidence to the international trust we enjoy.

I set continuity as a priority of the presidential institution – I continued and built on all initiatives launched by the former presidents. These were the Bulgarian Christmas, Support a dream, the John Atanasoff award. I launched five new initiatives, namely the month of political consultations, Youth vision for Bulgaria's development, Day of open doors, Dialogue with the citizens, the Council of presidents.  Each one of these initiatives is extremely meaningful and I expect that President Radev will continue and build on them, as I did.
I preserved the good tone with the other presidents, despite the unprincipled criticism voiced by one of them.  I am proud that I initiated the Council of presidents and set up Bulgaria’s presidential library.

I was the first Bulgarian president who did not appoint a former communist-era state security agent as ambassador or caretaker minister. I reiterated my call for an honest and objective assessment of communism. I am proud to have urged that the police files of the communist-era secret services be conclusively submitted to the Dossier Commission so that the public could have access to them. You remember that for 25 years the secret services in Bulgaria worked “in the dark”, without public control, without regulatory laws and rules. I made a promise to change the situation and I kept it.

A top priority was preserving the religious tolerance in the country.  I am the first Bulgarian president who hosted the solemn Iftar dinner attended by representatives of all religious communities in the country.  This is important and I hope that President Radev will continue this tradition.

We faced a lot of difficult moments during the term in office – we witnessed a terror act committed in our homeland, natural disasters, an unprecedented migration wave, cyber attacks against Bulgarian institutions and a record number of crises around us. It was clear to me – our security can only be guaranteed in NATO. I am a convinced Euro-Atlantic. I have made great efforts to ensure that Bulgaria is an active member of NATO. I took part in three NATO summits, namely in Chicago, Wales and Warsaw. I convened the Consultative Council for National Security to discuss matters of defence and I set as a strategic priority the interoperability between the allies. I attended the historic summit in Wales, where we launched NATO’s Readiness Action Plan, a document which is extremely important for our security.  

I consistently supported the necessity to fulfil the assumed commitment vis-?-vis the allies’ collective security for a gradual increase of Bulgaria's defence spending to 2 per cent of the GDP. We reached a national consensus on increasing the defence budget. In compliance with the recommendations made by the Consultative Council for National Security, a new “Programme for the development of the Bulgarian Armed Forces until 2020” and a new “Plan for the development of the Bulgarian Armed Forces until 2020” were developed and adopted by the National Assembly. Defence spending was increased from 1.12 percent of the GDP in 2014 to 1.6 percent in 2017 and a further gradual increase has been ensured until it reaches 2 percent of the GDP.

A NATO Force Integration Unit was opened in Sofia and in five other ally-countries. This is a categorical expression of the commitment and the solidarity of the alliance to defend all its members applying the principle “28 for 28.” We set up this unit to serve as a liaison between the national and allied armies when conducting common trainings and military exercises, and also for ensuring the deployment of the Forces with a very high level of readiness of NATO to take action in emergencies in which the security and territorial integrity of the countries on the Eastern flank, including Bulgaria, are threatened. It was at my initiative and with NATO's active support that a new crisis plan for Bulgaria's protection was developed and plans were endorsed for the use of the Bulgarian armed forces in various scenarios and threats.

I defined the hybrid threats and cyberattacks as a major risk Bulgaria is facing. I convened the Consultative Council for National Security on this issue and as a result the National strategy for cyber security “Cyber sustainable Bulgaria 2020” was adopted and is now being implemented.

The Bulgarians, no matter where they are in the world, were in the focus of the policy I pursued. It is namely because of them that I initiated a national referendum on introducing e-voting. I opened the doors of the President’s Office for the young people. About 300 trainees took part at different stages in the President’s team.

I am not a member of any political party, and I acted bona fide and remained independent to the very end. I was independent, yet loyal. I remained loyal to the cause of Bulgaria’s European and democratic development. I did my best to ensure that Bulgaria goes through the times of hardship in a worthy manner.

I might have made mistakes, yet they are not big and strategic mistakes. The people will say the final word. However, I think we did well. Today Bulgaria looks stable against the backdrop of the extreme instability around us. I believe in our potential, I know we can achieve more, and I do hope that those coming after us will build on the achievements, instead of destroying them.

I was a president with clear priorities. It was during my opening speech in the National Assembly that I set 10 priorities with regard to Bulgaria's development. I reported on what we have done on a regular basis and considerable progress has been made on each of the priorities. I believe that the low public trust in the politicians is based on the fact that although politicians promise the moon during the election campaign, little is done after that. I did not act that way, I set a different example. I did not promise the moon, yet kept all the promises I made during the election campaign. I promised not to form coalitions in the President’s Office and I kept my promise. I promised not to appoint former communist-era state security agents as ambassadors – I kept my promise. I promised to initiate a referendum - I kept my promise. I made 40 election promises altogether. They were posted on the website of the presidential institution and each citizen had the opportunity to control what the president had promised and whether he kept his promises.

A basic principle I stick to in my work is to identify the problems, to take a stance, to provide solutions, instead of keeping silent. This opened many doors, particularly abroad. Many politicians tend to sweep aside the problems and keep a low profile. They tend to delay their solution for the next government or generation. This does not ensure public trust. The only way you can solve a problem is to identify it. I did not work on pillars, nor did I need an interpreter. I freely delivered speeches in a couple of languages. I knew I had what to say and that I would be heard. I was correct and precise, and I have not been late for a single meeting, no matter where it was held in the world. This is important, as it shows respect to everyone.

I worked with the 41st, 42nd and 43rd National Assembly, which was the most diverse parliament in the transition years, encompassing 37 political parties, united in 8 parliamentary groups and a complicated formula of coalition government.  In the last month of my term, guided by considerations for institutional stability and continuity, I conceded the right to the president-elect to appoint a caretaker government. Despite the difficulties, the presidential institution remained the pillar of stability and a guarantee for continuity in politics. I worked with five governments and three parliaments that governed the country during the mandate and averted the risk of an institutional crisis. I was president, but I was also a crisis manager. I felt that I was the right person in the right place. Probably I am the most criticized Bulgarian president so far. I was alone at certain moments, yet I shouldered my responsibility. I was motivated – we worked at a fast rate until the last day.  

I refused to run for a second term in office – I did that in public and provided clear arguments for my decision. Throughout my term in office I was led by the idea to be useful to my people, I supported every reasonable project that pushes us forward.  Such will be my actions in the future.

At the end of my term in office Bulgaria looks stable against the backdrop of the record number of crises.  Among other factors, I also take the credit for this.  “I take pride in what has been done, and I hope it will be continued and expanded.” “I will continue to defend the national interest, and Bulgaria’s modernization and European development. I will continue to serve the Bulgarian people and the Bulgarian statehood in any meaningful way that ensures our advancement on the road of the democratic and European development.”

Regrettably, the world will continue to be at a difficult stage of development. Let me warn you of the big risks the country will face in the coming months: for instance, Bulgaria may lose its Presidency of the EU. Such a scenario would be a disgrace for the nation, but it could materialize if Bulgaria works for division in the EU. There is a risk that the results of the upcoming early elections in Bulgaria are not recognized, should any doubts arise about the interim government's integrity and independence. There is also a risk of another migration wave - so far we have tackled the migration crisis. Bulgaria is faced with the risk of suffering a geopolitical failure if it changes its policy from an active member of the EU and NATO to a country in the EU periphery.

To round off – I saw a lot not only in the state, but also in business and in big politics. What I sought was not power but meaning. And you find meaning in the simple things of life surrounding us. To construct a business park complex to house 10,000 jobs and three highways to be used by millions of Bulgarians, to introduce energy efficiency for the people and dual education for the youth, to establish an innovative ecosystem for the enterprising, the Bulgaria 2020 program and energy diversification and liberalization – these are the meaningful things I made. I remain committed to progress, to the education of the youth, to the Bulgaria 2030 program, to ensuring that the industries and technologies of the future are developed in Bulgaria, to promoting the human capital and talent of the Bulgarians. Let us give way to the good solutions for Bulgaria. There are so many good ideas I will be committed to and give way to. I am not struggling for power for myself, as there are many other meaningful ways to serve your people. I will be a patron and leader, mentor and advisor, partner and teacher. I will be active both in Bulgaria and abroad. I will look ahead, not backwards towards the parliament and power. I will work together with the political parties and business, and I will closely monitor politics. I will remain active, yet without party affiliations. I will continue to contribute to Bulgaria’s strong position in Europe and in the world. I will make sure Bulgaria does not deviate from the right path and if it does, I will be ready to go to the barricade and defend the country’s European and democratic development.

In my speeches I talked a lot about Levski and the leaders of the Bulgarian national revival. We should never forget what they fought for. The fact that their portraits hang on the walls is not a formal act. Our Republic is as decent and sacred  as its leaders are. You need not be president to serve your people.  I will continue to serve my people, but in a different way. I will continue to recall Bulgaria’s democratic and European dream which dates back to the time of our ancestors. I will continue to dream together with the Bulgarian people and will work to ensure that this Bulgarian dream comes true.

Thank you!