In Rumen Radev’s view, the first important step towards ensuring a better future in Bulgaria is fighting apathy
Our compatriots living in Great Britain, thanks to their entire activity, raise Bulgaria’s prestige as a country with hard-working, respectable, talented and reliable people. This is what President Rumen Radev said at a meeting with representatives of the Bulgarian community in the UK. It was held within the first day of the Head of State’s visit to Great Britain and gathered more than 200 people in the Bulgarian Embassy in London.
Rumen Radev noted that not only is the number of Bulgarians living in the UK impressive, but also the percent of employed among them. “Thank you for dispelling the myth that Bulgarians come here to take advantage of the welfare system. On the contrary – statistics show that you add great value and contribute to the economy here,” the Head of State added.
The President further noted that the group of young Bulgarians who receive their education in British universities is also impressive. I strongly believe that you will find motivation to come back and devote your energy and talent to Bulgaria’s development because our country needs people like you – highly-educated, intelligent, who have accumulated knowledge and experience in a lot of important spheres, Rumen Radev addressed the young people in the hall.
The President voiced conviction that the young Bulgarians’ stay in Great Britain helps them to realize what true democracy, free media, civil activity, efficient, transparent and accountable institutions mean, which Bulgaria is to some extent short of. We rely on having one important for us value come back to Bulgaria – the intellectual capital, which is your experience and expertise because you not only have knowledge, you are bearers of a different type of social relations, Head of State Rumen Radev added.
As for the topic regarding the forthcoming Brexit, the President said that he believes that a favorable solution will be found so that our compatriots’ rights will no way be affected. All Bulgarian institutions have reached a consensus in this respect, the Head of State was adamant. Rumen Radev said that the Bulgarian Embassy in London is starting preparations for offering extra consultations so that our compatriots may receive a residence permit.
Before the beginning of the meeting, in front of the Bulgarian Embassy, organizers of the protest “Against the mafia-style governance of Bulgaria” presented a petition to the President, signed by 4,000 Bulgarians living in Bulgaria and abroad. “I highly appreciate the fact that you are fighting the most important battle – the battle against apathy. Although there are numerous ways to seek a better future, this is the first important step – all of us should get out of apathy,” the President said.
Earlier the President’s wife, Desislava Radeva, met and talked with teachers from the Bulgarian schools in Great Britain.