NEWS

The Head of State: The number of politicians in Bulgaria who aspire to divert the country from its Euro-Atlantic path is on the rise

The number of politicians in Bulgaria who aspire to divert the country from its Euro-Atlantic path is on the rise. I follow uncompromisingly and devotedly this course since I firmly believe that that is the true path, said the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces Rosen Plevneliev before officers of the Military Academy „Georgi Stoikov Raskovski“.

Within the forthcoming presidential campaign each of the candidates will have to clearly state where he or she stands and pledge to facilitate the further integration of the country within the European Union and NATO and defend the European values, said the Head of State, who announced the start of the new 2016-2017 academic year at the oldest higher military school in Bulgaria. „We heard many politicians ask the question: what are these Euro-Atlantic values. I am saying it load and clear – they are peace, democracy, rule of law. Is there anyone who can openly say that the Euro-Atlantic values are different from our national ideal“, asked President Rosen Plevneliev.

„The world has lost its balance and it will take a long time until a new, stable world order is created. We are in a transitional period from a world order, established after the end of the Second World War, which we have lost, towards a new, stable, world order, a multipolar world, which remains to be created. This transitional period entails hard times, a record number of crises, conflicts, refugees, military manoeuvres, propaganda and political confrontation“, underscored the President in his address in the Military Academy.

According to the Head of State, two opposite worlds are clashing at present – the 19 century Europe of the world powers, „who play at spheres of influence“, and the 21 century Europe of peace and integration, human rights and the supremacy of the law. „Unfortunately, today some world and European leaders base their thinking on categories of the 19th century Realpolitik – geopolitical spheres of influence, balance of powers, aggressive nationalism, changing state borders by force, the supremacy of interests and not of law. These leaders are more interested in winning the geopolitical game, and not in upholding human rights and the rule of law. However, we believe in a very different Europe – one of dignity and equality between all countries, of rule of law, not of power and interests“, said Rosen Plevneliev and made an appeal for a decisive opposition to Realpolitik. „This is cynical politics which led to two world wars, the Holocaust, the Gulag and the Belene camps. It is very risky today which principles we will support and which Europe we will choose – the 19th century or the 21st century Europe“, warned the Head of State.

President Rosen Plevneliev stated that EU and NATO membership is the basis of the democratic development of Bulgaria and declared his support for the initiatives for more integration and compatibility in European defence, for sharing common resources, for joint training and joint purchase of equipment. „The good European ideas for unification and sharing, as well as for building ability through the initiative “framework nations“ and many others, have profound significance and should be realized within the framework of the European Union with the active participation of Bulgaria“, underscored the Commander-in-Chief.

The President also pointed out that the reaction of certain media and political circles after the decision by the Council of Ministers for the joint task completion in relation to protecting the air space of the country by the Air forces of Bulgaria and the USA raises a number of questions. „The self-isolation of Bulgaria within its own air space with its conceptually old MiG-29 does not contribute in any way, much less help improve the compatibility, or raise the combat abilities, or the acquisition of a new fighter plane, which we desire“, commented Rosen Plevneliev. „I will remind those politicians that strengthening the mission on the protection of the air space of the member-states on the Eastern flank of NATO with allied forces on a rotational principle was agreed upon at the summit meeting in Wales and reconfirmed in Warsaw. That is precisely the reason why the national Assembly adopted changes to the Defence and Armed Forces Act, which stipulated the possibility for carrying out joint missions regarding the protection of air space, thoroughly in the interest of modernization and compatibility of the Bulgarian Army” said the Head of State.

The President also underlined how much has been achieved recently in relation to raising the capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed forces. Defence resources for 2016 were increased, reaching 1.35% of the GDP, and further increase has been ensured until 2% of GDP is reached by 2024. The Programme and a plan for the development of the armed forces by 2020 has been adopted. „This was decided within a wide political consensus by the Consultative Council for national security. What we need now is to carry out the commitments and ensure the necessary resources. We raised the compatibility of allied NATO armies as a high strategic priority. At the same time, the Republic of Bulgaria actively participates in the carrying out of NATO’s plan for increasing the preparedness for action, adopted at the Summit meeting in Wales“, said the Head of State.

The President also emphasised the comprehensive reform carried out in the „Security” sector, as a result of the Consultative council for national security held in 2012 regarding positioning the activities of the “Security” sector on a clear institutional basis.

The Head of State Rosen Plevneliev expressed his expectation for a swift establishment of a national body and drawing up of national regulatory documents in the sphere of cybersecurity, necessary for applying the security policies of NATO and the EU for creating national abilities for cyber defence. „Declaring cyberspace as the new front of global war presupposes a priority building of competencies,  organization and allotment of resources for achieving cyber stability within the responsibilities of the Ministry of Defence, but also of the whole country“, added the President.

In the context of multiple crises in neighbouring areas Bulgaria remains a predictable and reliable ally and is a key factor of stability in South-East Europe, underscored Rossen Plevneliev in his address. According to the Head of State, the membership of our country in NATO continues to be the strongest guarantee for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bulgaria. „As allies we are determined to contribute to the accomplishment of the joint general decisions of the alliance, which are geared towards its adaptation to the changing security environment“, said Rosen Plevneliev and expressed his firm determination that Bulgaria will continue to fulfil its commitments within the collective security system of NATO and the European Union.

At the Military Academy platform the Head of State renewed his appeal to ensure the continuity of the process of modernization and rearmament and acquisition of new theoretical concepts and technological achievements in the sphere of defence. „We need to pay special attention to HR policy. It is important to direct our efforts towards raising the motivation of Bulgarian military staff, in order to make the military profession attractive for young people in Bulgaria. Only then will we succeed in building a capable modern army, adequate to the realities of the contemporary security environment“, said President Rosen Plevneliev.

The Commander-in-Chief defined the Military Academy as the main pillar of our military education, guaranteeing the Bulgarian state and being the most authoritative centre for the formation of future military and civil leaders in the area of security and defence. „I would like to express my deep respect towards the administrative and academic staff of the Academy, who owing to their dedication, high competence and professionalism, train and teach highly qualified staff for the needs of the Armed Forces“, said the Head of State to the staff and the alumni of the Military Academy.