Today, when we witness division and opposition in the world, Bulgaria is among the countries that believe in the rule of law, not among these that rely on the power of weapons and the fight between interests. This is what President Rosen Plevneliev said at the traditional meeting with the heads of the diplomatic missions, accredited in Bulgaria. The Head of State assured that our country will continue to pursue a principled and balanced foreign policy and to be an active factor in the EU and NATO and a good friend of all countries in Southeastern Europe.
In his statement, President Plevneliev highlighted our country’s achievements in the past year – a high economic growth rate and export, an increasing investment interest in Bulgaria and a declining unemployment rate. Rosen Plevneliev also highlighted the recognition our country received on the international arena for its chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, of its chairmanship of SEECP and for hosting the Arraiolos format in 2016. “We set reasonable priorities and Bulgarian diplomacy achieved indisputable success. We showed that all countries in the Balkans and in the region are united and Bulgaria plays a leading role,” the Head of State was adamant.
The President defined Bulgaria’s EU accession as “one of the most significant historical achievements in the country’s modern history” and highlighted the progress made with the help of European solidarity in the past 10 years. “Only united can we create value, can we boost the people’s trust in the institutions and help make the EU stronger,” Rosen Plevneliev further said.
The President thanked the diplomatic community for the active dialogue and partnership in the past year. “I bow deeply to you for all you did for Bulgaria, you are our country’s friends and advocates. You helped Bulgaria make its contribution to strengthening peace and the democratic principles. The respect which Bulgaria earned through the record number of visits of heads of state, is also the result of the balanced and principled foreign policy our country is pursuing and our active position on the international arena, in which we are a significant factor,” Rosen Plevneliev addressed the diplomatic representatives.
The Head of State also warned that the challenges the international community will face in 2017 will not be fewer. “A year is in store for us in which critically important elections will be conducted. Against the backdrop of enormous instability around the world, Bulgaria did well. However, we should build on our achievements. Although we also have our problems and we will have to go a long way, the direction we are heading in is the right one,” the President further emphasized and called on for insuring continuity in following our country’s strategic priorities.
“The past year was full of predictable and unpredictable conflicts and clashes of military forces, millions of people sought refuge from the wars, and many countries were the target of unprecedented terrorism in Europe and the Middle East,” His Excellency Ahmed Al Madbuh, Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps in Bulgaria and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Palestine in Bulgaria said. He further pointed out that these challenges have united the international community’s efforts and resolution to cope with violence in the world.
Ahmed Al Madbuh voiced conviction that Bulgaria and its partners will go on focusing on what unites them and brings them closer together. “Not discrimination, but tolerance, the economic, political and academic cooperation will determine our future relations,” the diplomatic representative was adamant.