NEWS

Rumen Radev from the UN Rostrum: Bulgaria Supports the European Integration of the Western Balkans as an Investment in Stability

The Head of State called on the member states for reaffirming the UN as a leading factor for strengthening peace, preventing conflicts and fighting terrorism

Today, more than ever, we need to stand for a rule-based multilateral system, with the United Nations at its core. This is what Head of State Rumen Radev said in his speech at the UN General Assembly.

The President voiced Bulgaria’s  support for “the timely and important initiative, launched by both Germany and France, for the creation of an Alliance for Multilateralism – a network of like-minded nations working to foster effective multilateral approaches to global issues through the  United Nations”. In Rumen Radev’s opinion, this initiative aims at achieving sustainable Development for all parts of our planet.

In the President’s words, the United Nations has unique array of tools for mediation, conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peace building. Therefore Bulgaria welcomes Secretary-General’s commitment to advance diplomacy for peace and stands ready to support his efforts to strengthen the role of mediation in conflict prevention, embodied in the Action for Peacekeeping initiative.

The Head of State highlighted international terrorism and violent extremism as factors that continue to pose a significant threat to international peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. “The international community should beef up efforts to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation by supporting the United Nations as a key player,”  Rumen Radev called for. He added that unfortunately, over the last year the international community has not been able to reach a breakthrough in any major conflict around the world.

“The proclaimed military victory over the so called ISIS “Caliphate” last March was not enough to bring the war-torn Middle East region closer to the peace. The international community should stay vigilant as the terrorist threat still exists in different forms,” the President said.

Rumen Radev emphasized that finding a political solution to the conflict in Syria is crucial for the stability and security of the region and beyond and called for a nationwide cessation of hostilities and for the protection of civilians. In his words, this makes it imperative to ensure humanitarian access to all parts of the country and also to launch a lasting political process under the auspices of the UN, aimed at achieving a peaceful and inclusive political transition. A sustainable political solution should be sought through a genuine Syrian-owned political process.

The Head of State said that there is no military solution to the crisis in Libya and Bulgaria will continue to support the relaunch of the UN-led mediation process and the preparation of parliamentary and presidential elections. The stabilization of Libya is of utmost importance for regional security and for the management of migration flows in the Mediterranean.

In the speech he delivered at the forum, President Radev reiterated Bulgaria’s support for all efforts aimed at resuming the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, including those of the Quartet, on the Middle East Peace Process. “A two-State solution is the only way to sustainable peace. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is a cause for great concern. It should remain a priority of the United Nations and international community alike,” the Head of State said.

“It has been more than five years since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine. Despite periodic ceasefires, the situation in Eastern Ukraine remains highly precarious,” Rumen Radev said and called for a peaceful settlement of the crisis.  The President identified the exchange of detainees as a sign of hope and stressed the necessity for implementing in full the mutually agreed Package of measures, endorsed by the UN Security Council Resolution 2202 (2015) and for abiding by the ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy weapons and granting unhindered access to the OSCE Special monitoring mission to all sites of the two sides in the conflict.

The decision of Iran to suspend the implementation of some of its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on its nuclear program is a reason for deep concern, the Head of State said and called for full compliance with the nuclear deal and diplomatic outreach for lowering the tensions. “Discussing the regional role and the ballistic missile program of Iran is to be addressed separately from the JCPoA,” the President said. Rumen Radev also noted the escalation of tensions in the Persian Gulf, which requires that an immediate priority should be given to de-escalation measures aimed at avoiding further incidents.

The President recalled that in 2020 we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and the international community should reconfirm its commitment to the Treaty as the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Before the participants in the General Assembly Rumen Radev reiterated Bulgaria’s consistent support for the integration of the Western Balkans in the European Union. This process is an investment in regional stability and requires actively building good-neighborly relations.

There is a pressing need to accelerate the pace of progress in achieving all Sustainable Development Goals, Rumen Radev further said. The human race is facing rapidly developing detrimental consequences of ever-growing overuse of natural resources and massive urbanization. Some human activities result in irreversible environmental pollution, in reducing biodiversity and in threatening the fragile ecosystems, Rumen Radev said.

As a member of the Human Rights Council Bulgaria is committed to empowerment of children with disabilities through inclusive education, which is an essential tool for the whole process of social inclusion. In a world driven by information and communication technologies, Bulgaria places a particular emphasis on the opportunities offered by education, President Rumen Radev further emphasized in his speech at the UN General Assembly.