The past year of challenges made the world more dynamic and more unpredictable as a reflection of the internal processes characteristic of increasingly fragmented societies. International relations were marked by contradictions and a growing feeling that the established system of international organizations does not fully meet public expectations. Therefore, the vision and the role of their reformation for the better is expected with great hope. This is what Head of State Rumen Radev said at the traditional reception for the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Bulgaria.
The President said that the development of bilateral relations and strengthening the mutual trust play an essential role for establishing a more secure and stable model of international relations. In the President’s words, our country’s foreign policy is directed towards security, stability, dialogue and cooperation.
The EU integration of the Western Balkans, which our country has supported for many years, has already become an integral part of the debate on EU enlargement, the President said and added that the first Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the EU has reaffirmed our priorities for the better future of the region and of Europe.
Rumen Radev highlighted economic growth, competitiveness and job openings, reducing the discrepancies in the economic and social development of North and South, East and West Europe as the most important topics in the debate on Europe’s future so that a balance can be found on strategic issues such as security, migration and Cohesion policy.
Talking to the foreign diplomats, Rumen Radev noted Bulgaria’s active policy directed towards the Eastern Partnership and the Southern Neighborhood as important instruments to achieve regional security and stability. He identified the development of the relations with the United States, Russia, China, India, Brazil and the other countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America as a real opportunity to build on the bilateral relations and partnership in many areas. The President identified fighting climate change, ensuring global security, fighting religious radicalization, violence and terrorism as tasks that can be completely fulfilled only if we pool efforts.
The President extended gratitude to the diplomatic corps for the support offered to Bulgarians living abroad, for respecting their social, labor and education rights, for preserving Bulgarian culture and assisting the study of Bulgarian and acknowledging the latter as a matriculation language.
The doyen of the diplomatic corps - Dr. Ahmed Al Madbuh, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the state Palestine, delivered an address to the diplomats. Vice-president Iliana Iotova and representatives of the executive and legislative branch of government attended the reception held in the National Historical Museum. The President was accompanied by his wife Desislava Radeva.