NEWS

 

The rescue of the Bulgarian Jewish community during the Second World War is a source of national pride for all Bulgarians because not a single Bulgarian Jew was deported to the Nazi death camps. This is what President Rumen Radev said during a meeting at the Presidency with members of organisations of Bulgarian Jews in Israel. The meeting was held on the initiative of the Bulgarian Immigrants Union (Ihud Olei Bulgaria), the Bulgarian Cultural Information Center and the Israel-Bulgaria Friendship Society. The occasion was the 80th anniversary of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews during World War II. The meeting was attended by famous historian and public figure from Israel, Prof Michael Bar-Zohar, and the Ambassador of the State of Israel, Yoram Elron. 

 

A small nation, together with its government, church and intelligentsia, succeeded in rescuing its Jewish compatriots in one of the darkest periods of human history, and we are duty-bound to continue this legacy by preventing new instances of anti-Semitism, the head of State said, recalling that, thanks to this act of bravery and tolerance carried out by Bulgaria during World War II, the entire Jewish community in the country, numbering some 50,000 people, survived the war. 

 

The President pointed out that the rescued Bulgarian Jews and their descendants in Israel are a solid foundation for the advancement of bilateral relations and the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and Israel. In his words, this country can use Israel's example for development in science, technology and economy. 

 

The representatives of the organisations of Bulgarian Jews expressed gratitude to Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people for rescuing the entire Jewish community in the country from deportation during the Second World War. They raised the need to speed up the procedure for acquiring Bulgarian citizenship and to strengthen cooperation in education, science and culture. 

 

The participants in the meeting also discussed the challenges related to the manipulation of historical facts about Bulgaria's actions during the Second World War. The common position was that joint efforts are needed to defend the historical truth about the rescue of Bulgarian Jews by Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people, and the representatives of the organisations of Bulgarian Jews expressed their determination to contribute to this.

 

The programme to mark the 80th anniversary of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews during the Second World War under the patronage of the head of State envisages the opening tomorrow of a documentary exhibition dedicated to the anniversary at the SS Cyril and Methodius National Library. The opening will be attended by the members of the organisations of Bulgarian Jews. Prof Michael Bar-Zohar will be a guest of honour.

 

 

The Bulgarian head of state thanks the Croatian state for its efforts to preserve the memory of the dead

Bulgarians living in Croatia are an active part of the modern Croatian society, and they contribute to the better name and trust of Bulgaria. This is what President Rumen Radev told our compatriots in Zagreb. Today, as part of his official visit to Croatia, the Bulgarian Head of State, together with representatives of our community, honoured the work of Ivan Vazov in front of the bust-monument of the patriarch of Bulgarian literature, which is located on the Alley of Poets in Bundek Park.

The currency itself cannot be a guarantee for European integration, but the rule of law is required, Rumen Radev said in Zagreb, where he is on an official visit

A merit-based enlargement policy remains a strategic priority for the European Parliament, not only as a geopolitical imperative, but also as a key instrument for promoting peace, democracy, stability and prosperity across Europe, particularly in the Western Balkans, EP President Roberta Metsola writes in response to the letter sent by President Rumen Radev to the heads of the European institutions and to the heads of state and government, members of the European Council, after the EP Foreign Affairs Committee voted on June 24 the draft report on the progress of the Republic of North Macedonia in the European integration process.