NEWS

 

We are faced with the challenge to counteract extremism not only as societies but also as personalities, and we can achieve success only if we defend our values and pay tribute to the people that have overcome their fears and have stood up against violence.  This is what President Rumen Radev said at the international forum held in New York under the auspices of UNESCO, at which the "Global Coalition for Hope" was presented. The head of state is leading the Bulgarian delegation that is in New York to take part in the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.  

 

The goal of "Global Coalition for Hope" is to give annual awards to ordinary people that have become heroes by risking their lives in the fight against extremism or have taken action in defense of the cultural heritage and in the construction of build bridges spanning across cultures.  At the official ceremony within the framework of "Paying tribute to the heroes of the global campaign against extremism and non-tolerance", the Bulgarian President paid tribute to Colonel Matthew Bogdanos for his contribution to the exposure of the connection between the trafficking in cultural values and the financing of terrorism and Lieutenant Kohar Saleh for her contribution to the fight against Islamic State.

 

"The end of the Cold War raised hopes for the creation of a safe and prospering world, yet today we are faced with ever growing challenges that jeopardize peace and stability.  One of the challenges is extremism that disrespects state borders or the values of human life, culture and religion," Rumen Radev pointed out in his speech. The head of state called for keeping the memory of the example given by the people that have the conviction, courage and strength to fight for the better future of mankind.

 

Earlier during the day, President Rumen Radev held a meeting with leading Jewish organizations from the United States, and at the meeting he called on the United States and Israel to increase their investments in Bulgaria in the field of information technologies and in other areas with a high added value.  In the head of state's opinion, our country can take advantage of the experience of the United States and Israel with regard to the introduction of training programs for computer experts and their participation in the real economy, which will open up prospects for a growing number of young people to make their career development in Bulgaria. President Radev also said that the early removal of the visa regime for the Bulgarian nationals that travel or work in the United States will serve as an additional impulse to the development of the bilateral economic cooperation. What was also noted during the meeting was our country's contribution to world history with regard to its efforts in rescuing the Jewish community during World War Two. 

 

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