SPEECHES AND STATEMENTS

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

Your Excellences,

 

I am honored to be here with you today and address this important conference dedicated to Georgia and its European way. 

 

Bulgaria and Georgia are linked by deep historic and cultural ties. Some of the most important sources related to Bulgarian history are the chronicles of Georgian travelers. And I just wonder why and who can question the Georgian’s European way. Because Europe is your home, it is always been your home. You have shaping the European history for centuries. There is no question about that and history is just another proof of that. The Bulgarian history is strongly linked with the history of Georgia. Just some of the facts.

One of our most important monasteries at Bachkovo was founded as a Georgian monastery by Grigorii Bakuriani in the 11th century. It is the second largest monastery in Bulgaria and one of the most important spiritual centers. For centuries it served as a bridge between our peoples.

 

This forum is well-timed - immediately after the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga. I stand here today not only as President of Bulgaria, but as President of an EU Member State. Georgia is a close partner of the European Union. Your country has been the regional frontrunner in establishing democratic institutions and implementing economic reforms. In the last few years the situation in the European Union neighborhood has changed significantly. Some of the Eastern partnership countries were affected by an increasingly assertive Russian foreign policy. The Riga Summit once again reaffirmed the right of every country in the region to choose their own way forward, as well as the level of ambition and goals to which it aspires in its relations with the EU.

 

I would like to reconfirm our firm commitment to Georgia’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and its sovereign choice to work towards further Euro-Atlantic integration. Bulgaria condemns the so called “Agreements” between the Russian Federation and Abkhazia and South Ossetia and has not and will not recognize them. We support Georgian membership in NATO and the Alliance “open door policy”. Georgia has made significant progress and has shown itself to be a reliable partner to the Alliance. We value your country’s efforts in implementing the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package that was adopted during the Wales Summit last year.

 

The EU remains committed to conflict resolution efforts in Georgia through the deployment of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) and its leading role in the Geneva International Discussions. Bulgaria will continue to contribute significantly to the EUMM.

 

Together with our partners within the EU we promote regional cooperation that reflects the guiding principles and values of the rule of law and international order. Establishing closer political and economic cooperation between the EU and Georgia is the only way to guarantee the country’s security and prosperity. 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Bulgaria was among the first EU Member States that ratified the Association Agreement with its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Georgia and the EU. Its implementation must be a major priority. Since the provisional application started on September 1st, 2014, Georgia's exports to the EU have grown by 18% compared to the same period in the previous year. The Association Agreement is boosting our relationship and will help to unlock its full potential.

 

Your country has also made significant progress with regard to meeting the requirements for visa free travel to the EU. This progress was recognized by the Riga Summit. The remaining steps are well identified and we will double our efforts to quickly finalize the process. 

 

Bulgaria supports the visa-free regime with Georgia because of our own positive experience. It brings optimism and investments. People are able to travel free and return home with new knowledge, ideas and energy that can change a nation for the better. 

 

People want stability, economic growth, open governance, and an efficient judicial system. Absence of the rule of law and free media is a phenomenon created by interest groups and oligarchs that profit from instability, corruption and disinformation. The only way out of this vicious circle is political will for reform that inspires people and motivates them to support policies for reform and development. 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Seventy years ago, at the end of World War II, Europe was in ruins. Millions lost their lives on the battlefields. The determination to never let such devastation happen again gave birth to United Europe. Enemies became partners and friends, working together for a common future, sharing the same values. Integration and cooperation proved to be an antidote to destabilization.

 

Until recently most of us believed that peace and stability were deeply rooted in Europe. However, recent events have shown that this was just a dream. The crises in Ukraine and the Middle East changed the security situation and brought new threats to our regions. Bulgaria is deeply concerned with the overall security situation to the east of our borders and in the Black Sea region. Ongoing political and military actions are destabilizing the region and undermining the sovereignty of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.

 

The policy of Great Powers with their spheres of influence leads to the existence of frozen conflicts and instability. We have to ask ourselves: Do people in frozen conflicts areas - run by illegitimate groups and their weapons live better? Are they free, safe and prosperous? Who is going to invest in a frozen conflict area? Who is going to create jobs and infrastructure? If we think about the people and their right to live in peace and prosperity, we need to oppose the wrong and dangerous strategy of keeping regions, countries and nations unstable and dependent. Closing our eyes to this threat is not a sustainable political solution. This is a bitter reminder that what the international community has achieved in the last decades cannot be taken for granted; that the principles we built our world upon are not set in stone and it is up to all of us to respect, promote and protect them.

 

The opposite of such destructive policy is the European Union. A unique project for peace, where big Germany with its 80 million citizens and small Estonia with its 1,3 million have the same rights. And where consensus-driven policies make every nation important. No state is periphery or subordinate. Everyone is a partner and everyone is important, regardless of size and wealth. 

 

History shows that building a stable and just democratic system is a constant effort. Democracy and its basic values cannot be given for free, cannot be installed. Democracy is an ongoing process that is worth every effort.

 

We do not want to go back to the time when the Great Powers allocated their spheres of influence. We have been victims of such policies for centuries. Today, we build bridges of trust and cooperation. European integration has become the engine that brought about democratic reforms and major changes. From a region torn apart by wars, to a region joined together in peace. Today, we work towards a common European future, building bridges of trust and cooperation. I see the same opportunities for Georgia and for the whole region of the South Caucasus through the instruments of the Eastern Partnership and the process of Euro-Atlantic integration. 

 

Five years ago, Europe was reminded of its biggest vulnerability - its energy dependence. Bulgaria was one of the most affected countries during the 2009 gas crisis. We were dependent on a single pipeline from Russia, with no alternatives. Finding alternative sources and routes of gas supply became a matter of national security and energy diversification - a key priority. The crisis in Ukraine highlighted the issue of Europe’s energy dependence and put it at the forefront of the European Union’s political agenda. 

 

The launch of the Southern Gas Corridor will finally put an end to years of “one-pipe dependence” and bring security of supply to the whole region of South Eastern Europe. Diversification and competition will contribute to energy market liberalization and ensure fairer prices for consumers.  

 

Europe does not need another reminder. We have learned our lessons. It’s time for us to get down to business. Today, we make a big step forward to ensure Europe’s energy security. But it is not just about building gas pipelines, railways and roads together. Today, we expand regional cooperation. We get together, we invest and build together, we link and integrate our networks and our economies. Today, we set an example of peaceful multistate cooperation where everybody is a winner. Today, we demonstrate that we listen to our people and fulfill their dream for friendship and trusted partnership in our region and the world. 

 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

 

I would like to assure you once again of Bulgaria’s strong support for the political association and economic integration of Georgia with the EU. Bulgaria stands by your side and wants you to succeed. As a country that successfully underwent the process of accession to the EU, we are well aware of the challenges ahead. There are difficult issues to be addressed in the areas of good governance, reforming the judiciary, building administrative capacity and ensuring sustainable development. These issues need strong political will and a broad national consensus on the necessary reforms. We are ready to share our knowledge and experience, our lessons learned, as well as our mistakes from the transitional process. 

 

We share a strategic location, beautiful nature, common history and strong potential. Only together we can guarantee stability and development, because without stability, there is no development. Together, we can open new markets. Together, we can attract strategic investors. Together, we can boost tourism and production. Together, we can fight terrorism, natural disasters, isolation and poverty. 

 

Energy dependence, lack of connectivity, economic problems, climate change, those are some of the issues that we all have to deal with. All these problems go beyond the borders of any single nation. Those problems are transnational and require a regional approach. 

 

We do not want conflicts and fights in the region any more. We want peace, stability and reconciliation. We do not want borders to be moved any more. We want borders to fall, so that people and businesses are free to get together. We do not want great powers to play the game of spheres of influence anymore. We want the sovereign borders and democratic choice of the peoples of Georgia, Ukraine to be respected. Great powers have been playing with the region for centuries. Now it’s our own responsibility! To get together, to link, to connect, to cooperate, to produce, to trade, to live together and not to fight! We put regional stability and regional reconciliation above all. 

 

The world is changing and the challenges we face today are too complex for any nation to handle them on its own. No nation, regardless of its political will and military might, can manage on its own. Political and economic cooperation is no longer a matter of choice, but of necessity. That is why Bulgaria firmly supports Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic choice. Today, in Georgia, people are working hard to build a better future. And it is their right to choose their own future. 

 

Thank you!

December 2, 2023, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

September 20, 2023, New York

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