NEWS

Statement Made by Rumen Radev at the Inauguration Ceremony as President of the Republic of Bulgaria

Statement Made by Roumen Radev at the Inauguration Ceremony as President of the Republic of Bulgaria

Esteemed Mr. President Plevneliev,

Esteemed Mrs. Speaker of the National Assembly,

Esteemed Mr. Prime Minister,

Your Holiness,

Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen Ministers,

Esteemed Assembly Deputies,

Esteemed Representatives of the State Institutions and Political Parties,

Esteemed Representatives of the Religious Communities,

Your Excellencies,

Esteemed Generals, Admirals, Officers, Sergeants and Soldiers,

It is a great honor and responsibility to me to take over the post of Head of State from President Plevneliev before all of you, before the representative units of the Bulgarian army, an army that has defended our statehood, freedom and dignity for 13 centuries.

Therefore today's ceremony has a deep meaning, and it is a symbol of the hope for a much-expected change and continuity, which is at the heart of statehood and without which statehood cannot possibly be built. I would like to thank President Plevneliev and all Presidents before him for their efforts to build a democratic Bulgaria. We have gathered today at a place which is sacred for Bulgaria - the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, the necropolis of ancient Serdica , the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. At such a place you clearly realize the responsibility you shoulder as Head of State of a country with deep European roots, which has defended its freedom and future at the crossroads of history. Thousands of courageous Bulgarians sacrificed their lives for Bulgaria and this country was built with the intellect and hands of millions of others. Bulgaria has gone along a complicated and difficult path full of obstacles and mistakes. Energy and time were wasted, but we never diverted from our path of the peaceful transition to a new society that is part of united Europe.

Dear compatriots,

Together we should build a fairer society based on law, morality and freedom, and on tolerance and solidarity. We should build a society that is not in thrall to the past but shapes our future. We owe it to ourselves and our children, and we owe it to our ancestors. I will be next to you along the path full of new challenges. I will be President of all Bulgarian people, regardless of their party affiliations, ethnicity or religion. I will be the President of dialogue and reconciliation, and of cooperation and balance. I will work with Parliament, the government, all state institutions, with the parties and NGOs and pool everybody’s efforts to find what works best for Bulgaria. I will actively work with Bulgaria’s partners to speed up our European integration.  However, one thing should be clear. I will be a President who will firmly stand up for the rights, interests and dignity of the Bulgarian people. I believe we have the strength to face any trials and tribulations, and I believe in the good future for Bulgaria and for all of us. Most importantly, we should realize how strong we are, we should believe in ourselves and go ahead together.

Thank you!