YouSaid · the spoken record

Rosen Plevneliev

lines on the record: 47
first: 2014-09-24
most recent: 2016-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“In recent years, there has been growing support in the international community for ensuring equal opportunities for women and men in gaining access to senior decision-making positions, including the post of Secretary-General. The relevant resolution 69/321 stresses the need to ensure equal and fair distribution based on gender and geographical balance, while meeting the highest possible requirements, in the appointment of the Secretary-General. After eight male Secretaries-General, the time has come for a capable and respectable woman from Eastern Europe to lead the United Nations. Bulgaria has a very strong candidate, a true leader with extensive experience in international relations and excellent management skills, a candidate who deserves Member States’ trust and support.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“In the past few decades, the United Nations has made significant progress in advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Those efforts should continue and be further strengthened. Bulgaria is actively engaged at all levels in promoting gender equality, as well as in ending gender-based discrimination and all forms of violence against women and girls. My country strongly supports the UN-Women Planet 50-50 campaign for achieving gender equality by 2030. Women in Bulgaria enjoy full participation in all areas of life. In our Government, two of three deputy prime ministers and half of the ministers are women. Two thirds of the magistrates at all levels are women. Bulgaria ranks third in the EU in terms of women’s participation in the executive boards of large companies.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“As Co-Chair of the Group of Friends on Children and SDGs, Bulgaria has been strongly advocating for the integration of children’s human rights in all major intergovernmental processes at the United Nations. It is our firm conviction that children should be at the heart of global action. We made children’s rights a strategic priority for the Council of Europe during our chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, and we are so proud to see the adoption of the Sofia Strategy for the Rights of the Child and the full support of all 47 member States. I commend the excellent work of the previous Bulgarian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Stefan Tafrov, his vice-presidency of the UNICEF Executive Board and his dedication to the cause of children and human rights.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Peace is not a given, and it is up to all of us to protect it. And peace is not just the absence of war. Peace is human rights. Peace is the rule of law. Promoting human rights is a core purpose of the United Nations and defines its identity. Bulgaria has been strongly advocating for strengthening the human rights pillar of the United Nations. Bulgaria is determined to further contribute to promoting human rights as a member of the Human Rights Council for the period 2019-2021, and we rely on our partners’ valuable support for our candidacy. Bulgaria attaches great importance to the protection of children and the promotion of their rights.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“As President of Bulgaria, I was so proud to be among the first to sign the historic Paris Agreement during the high-level ceremony at the Secretariat in New York. My country supports the early entry into force of the Paris Agreement. I have the pleasure to announce that the Bulgarian Government has already initiated its domestic ratification procedure. My country is elaborating its national programme for development, Bulgaria 2030, by actively engaging civil society, young people, the private sector and media. We are focusing on education, high-tech and innovation to build a green and energy-efficient economy. To that end, we are educating young Bulgarians on the importance of sustainability. Bulgarian schools, in partnership with UNICEF, have introduced special programmes to teach children about the SDGs.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Education, the protection of cultural heritage and the protection of human rights will help us deal with the reasons that lead individuals to feel forced to join violent extremist groups. The role of UNESCO in those efforts is crucial. We commend the dedicated work and invaluable contribution of Ms. Irina Bokova and her leadership in promoting education and intercultural dialogue globally. Her outstanding performance and strong commitment to the principles and purposes of the United Nations are fundamental for achieving sustainable progress and long-lasting results. We made history with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Now it is time for their implementation. It is up to all of us to adapt our national strategies and deliver on those commitments.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We cannot and should not accept that this is the new normal. Every effort must be made to eradicate terrorism and violent extremism. Bulgaria is a proud member of the international Anti-Terrorism Coalition. The United Nations has an important role to play in managing and coordinating comprehensive counter- terrorism actions across the world. The relevant Security Council resolutions and the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy serve as a good basis for international cooperation. Bulgaria supports the Secretary-General’s review of the United Nations counter-terrorism architecture. The prevention of radicalization is an essential part of the response. Bulgaria has adopted the required domestic legislation and has built the necessary institutional capacity.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Bulgaria supports the implementation of the agreement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear programme, which is an important step forward in achieving stability in the region. We hope that all agreed measures will be fully implemented. The fifth consecutive nuclear test carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in September, is a direct violation of Security Council resolutions. We urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to suspend its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and to resume dialogue with the international community, including in the framework of the Six-Party Talks. Terrorism and violent extremism are an alarming threat to peace and security. It is a source of grave concern that such acts have increased dramatically.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The Middle East peace process has reached a critical stage. New initiatives are needed to revive the two-State solution. Bulgaria welcomes the recent efforts in that direction, especially the Quartet report. We highly value and fully support the work of the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, in his challenging mission. We reaffirm our position that the two-State solution is the realistic, just and lasting way to settle the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. A solution that could satisfy the aspirations of both sides can be achieved only through direct negotiations, with no conditions attached, and in conformity with all relevant international obligations.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The recent escalation of the conflict in Ukraine is a source of deep concern. Any attempt to destabilize Ukraine is unacceptable. Bulgaria strongly supports the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. My country renews its call for the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements and reiterates its consistent policy of the non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea. Bulgaria supports the process of building a peaceful, stable and self-reliant Afghanistan. We will continue to contribute to the reconstruction and State-building process in Afghanistan through our participation in the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission. We are contributing to the Afghanistan National Army Trust Fund, and we are assisting in building Afghanistan’s administrative capacity through our official development assistance.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“As the Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, stressed during the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, we need a step change in the way we address humanitarian crises by looking more rigorously into the root causes. Bringing peace and reconciliation back to Syria can be achieved only through a Syrian-led political process that involves an inclusive transition that takes into account the aspirations of all parts of society. It is important to create favourable conditions enabling the resumption of the intra-Syrian peace talks as soon as possible. We do not want to go back to the time when great Powers allocated their spheres of influence. We cannot once again allow political interests to divide and occupy the territory of sovereign States or create frozen conflicts.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Ten Presidents of EU member States exchanged ideas and shared a vision of how to rebuild trust in the European Union and bring lasting stability and prosperity to the Balkans. That served as an important recognition of the friendly, balanced and principled foreign policy that Bulgaria is conducting today. We need to team up and develop common strategies, rather than build fortresses to defend short-sighted national interests. We have to engage leaders throughout the world and from all sectors of society, and not just acknowledge but resolve conflicts. We need prevention, and we need to be proactive so as to detect crises early and solve them. We need to empower diplomacy and promote principles, not interests and weapons. We need to reconfirm rather than renegotiate the principles of international order.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“During our very successful chairmanship-in-office of the South-East European Cooperation Process, Bulgaria proposed concrete initiatives focused on enhancing security, stability, connectivity, reconciliation and sustainable development in the Balkans. Bulgaria plays an important role in strengthening the expertise of the European Union in the region and supports the Euro- Atlantic integration of the countries in the Western Balkans. The European Union (EU) has unique significance and strong legitimacy because of the peaceful discussions it holds and its settlement of differences by consensus, because of its shared fundamental rights and rules, and because it has achieved an unprecedented level of integration and cooperation among its member States. Last week, Bulgaria very successfully hosted the annual meeting of the Arraiolos Group.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The child is entitled to the full set of rights recognized in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, including family reunification. The United Nations has a crucial role to play in addressing those challenges. Our crisis-management efforts require a holistic United Nations response, preventive diplomacy, mediation, peacebuilding, resilience and reconciliation. Bulgaria participates actively in the work of the Group of Friends of Mediation, which contributes to those efforts. We are committed to helping crisis-stricken countries recover. There is an old saying: “Prevention is better than a cure.” Bulgaria is committed to the global efforts aimed at preventing and resolving ongoing conflicts.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Our specific focus should be on the protection of the human rights of migrants and refugees, especially the most vulnerable — women, children and persons with disabilities. At the same time, all migrants have the duty to comply with the laws of their countries of residence. Bulgaria welcomes the emphasis on global responsibility-sharing. That crucial element should guide us in building partnerships between the countries of origin, transit and destination and the entire international community. The current global humanitarian crisis reminds us that we must tackle global issues in an inclusive and integrated manner, focusing on the root causes. It is also a crisis for children. We must hear their voice. We must recall that a child is first a child and then a refugee.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“It is very easy to occupy and destroy, but it is very difficult to rebuild and reconcile broken societies. Europe is a symbol of hope for millions of refugees. Inspired by our common values, we are determined to further strengthen our efforts to manage migration in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law. Countries that are close to the conflict zones, like Bulgaria, are facing an unprecedented challenge. We welcome the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants (resolution 71/1) as a symbol of our joint effort to strengthen international cooperation so as to better protect and assist refugees. Migration should be managed through collective global efforts in a responsible way.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We are witnessing the worst security situation since the end of the Second World War. National borders and international principles are being challenged. In many regions, war and terror prevail. States and institutions are disintegrating. The world is out of balance today. Terrorism is on the rise. No one is immune, and no one is safe. War zones have become breeding grounds for radical ideologies and launch pads for terrorist activities. Violations and abuses of human rights occur every day, and innocent women and children are the most affected. In these turbulent times, the number of crises around the world is at a record high. Protracted conflicts are causing so many humanitarian tragedies. Conflict resolution and reconciliation have become more challenging to achieve and sustain.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We congratulate His Excellency Mr. Peter Thomson on assuming the presidency of the General Assembly at its seventy-first session and extend our gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Mogens Lykketoft for his commitment during the previous session and his strong efforts aimed at promoting transparency and efficiency within the United Nations system. The theme of this year’s general debate, “The Sustainable Development Goals: a universal push to transform our world”, is extremely important for all of us. The full and timely implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is crucial in order to ensure progress and prosperity around the world, strengthen peace and make our planet a better place in which to live. But peace and freedom are being tested today.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“The time has come for a woman from Eastern Europe to be entrusted with the highest position in the Secretariat. Once a joint letter by the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, as envisaged in the resolution, starts the formal process for soliciting candidates for Secretary-General, Bulgaria stands ready to nominate the candidate who will be the best fit for the post. That will be a person of excellence, with extensive experience in international relations, with great interpersonal skills, an efficient manager and communicator, a true leader.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process will work for the adoption of a Joint Declaration to reaffirm the principle of the inviolability of national borders in the Balkans. We want borders not to be moved, but to fall. Enhanced regional cooperation and the European integration of all the countries in the region is our ultimate goal. Among the eight Secretary-Generals of the United Nations, all of them men, a national from the Group of Eastern European States has never been appointed. The recently adopted resolution 69/321 (2015) stresses the need to ensure equal and fair distribution based on gender and geographical balance, while meeting the highest possible requirements for the appointment of the Secretary-General.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“They have coexisted peacefully, some of them for centuries. That is a great example of tolerance, wisdom and respect for diversity. And it is up to all of us to shape the world we live in with tolerance and humanism. The annexation of Crimea was a blatant violation of international law and its principles. Bulgaria stands firmly behind Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. For us, Crimea is Ukraine and Ukraine is Europe. My country condemns any attempts to further destabilize Ukraine. The full implementation of the Minsk Agreements is essential. We call on all stakeholders to engage constructively in a political dialogue in order to reach a just political solution.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We are all in the same boat and we have to help one another.” Today we need active citizens who care for human rights. As President, I stand behind Bulgarian civil society in their demands that State institutions be transparent and efficient. I am proud of the example Bulgarian civil society set in 1943 by saving all 48,000 Bulgarian Jews from the Nazi camps. Unfortunately, Bulgaria was not in a position to do the same for the Jewish people from northern Greece and parts of Yugoslavia, as they were not Bulgarian citizens. We deeply mourn the loss of their lives, as well as all the victims of the Holocaust, whom we will always remember. Temples of different religions — an Orthodox church, a mosque, a synagogue and a Catholic cathedral — are located just across from my office, in the very heart of the Bulgarian capital, Sofia.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We welcome the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and hope that all the measures agreed therein will be fully implemented in a timely fashion. This year we celebrate 70 years since the end of the Second World War. We remember all the innocent lives that perished in the death camps of the Holocaust. There will always be people who will try to justify the killing of innocents in the name of a cause they consider worthy. We should never forget that we are all born equal, born in peace to live in peace and strive for peace. I remember the words of the young Muslim man from Mali, Lassana Bathily, who saved several innocent lives during the hostage crisis earlier this year in Paris: “We are brothers. It is not a question of Jews, Christians or Muslims.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Societies without ethics and values, without morals and culture, have no future. In that respect, I would like to underline UNESCO’s important role in the protection 2/54 15-29562 30/09/2015 A/70/PV.19 of cultural heritage sites in armed conflicts and in the prevention of illegal trafficking in cultural artefacts. There is a clear need to revitalize the Middle East peace process. Bulgaria fully supports the Secretary- General’s Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, in his challenging mission. My country reaffirms its position that the United States-led formula, the two-State solution, is the realistic, just and lasting way to settle the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. Bulgaria has consistently supported diplomacy as the only way to resolve the issue of the Iranian nuclear programme.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Apart from the fear of infiltration by extremists on European soil, the issue of illegal human trafficking, which requires our urgent attention and concerted action, has again been raised. Given the unprecedented migratory flow towards Europe, the European Union (EU) has to demonstrate solidarity and responsibility. In the EU, we need not just to address the crisis but to solve it in a manner guided by European unity and our common desire for a peaceful and free Europe. The European Union represents the largest area of human rights, peace and democracy in the world. It is a family that stands together. The international community was deeply shocked by the deliberate destruction of world cultural heritage sites in Syria and Iraq by terrorists. That is not only a cultural tragedy, but a severe blow to human civilization.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“On a national level, we should adopt policies and measures that can prevent the radicalization of marginalized groups and ensure their better integration in society. As long as the conflict in Syria continues, the refugee crisis will not subside. The efforts of the entire international community should focus on ending hostilities in conflict zones and supporting institution building, the rule of law and respect for human rights. The role of neighbouring States is also of great importance. Europe is currently focused on the establishment of a solidarity scheme that will allow the fair relocation and resettlement of refugees among all Member States. We need to establish an appropriate mechanism that can distinguish those in need from those just looking for a better life. The migrant crisis is a security concern.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The presence of Daesh in the region has become a key obstacle to a political settlement in Syria and a serious risk to the stability and the territorial integrity of Iraq. The most recent terrorist attacks in Egypt, Tunisia, Kuwait and Turkey have shown that violent extremism and radicalization transcend national borders. Joint action by the international community in the fight against violent extremism is crucial. The United Nations is the best platform for managing and coordinating international efforts. We need Governments and law enforcement institutions to cooperate closely with regional organizations, civil society, local communities, media and the private sector in order to ensure durable and viable solutions.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Women’s participation in all aspects of social and political life still remains a major challenge in many parts of the world. Development will never be truly sustainable and lasting peace will never be achieved, if half of the world’s population is excluded. Gender equality is an absolute necessity for the full realization of human rights and the functioning of democracy. Today, the international community faces a deteriorating global security environment, characterized by a rising number of civil wars, growing extremism and an increased number of humanitarian crises. A renewed focus on conflict prevention is needed. In the five years since its beginning, the conflict in Syria has come to represent a major threat to international peace and security.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“For the first time in the history of humankind, people are at the very heart of a development agenda that leaves no one behind. This truly transformative Agenda reflects the complexity of the challenges we face today. It takes into consideration the right of every individual to live in dignity and prosperity and ensures the equal participation of all sections of society. Climate change is a serious problem. Its impact continues to cause more disparities and conflicts. Climate change negotiations have entered a critical stage. 2015 is a landmark year — we have an opportunity to end two decades of intense climate negotiations and begin a new era through the adoption of a global, legally binding protocol in Paris in December. My country will contribute to the successful finalization of that process.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Peace is human rights. Peace is the rule of law. Peace is rules that apply to everyone, including global and regional Powers. Security, development, human rights and the rule of law are interdependent and mutually reinforcing universal values. They are the pillars of the United Nations. Every crisis can be traced back to an initial phase when someone violated the law and human rights. To prevent future crises, a United Nations early-warning crisis detection system needs to be set up to safeguard the rule of law and human rights. Poverty, inequalities and environmental degradation are issues that require our attention. Bulgaria welcomes the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1) and is fully committed to its implementation.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“As a result, nationalistic parties that feed on people’s fears have seized the day and are gaining momentum. Hate speech, racism, xenophobia, populism and aggressive nationalism are again on the rise. All of those challenges transcend national borders and call upon us to act with resolve on a global scale. Robert Schuman, called “the Father of Europe” as one of the founding fathers of the European Union and the greatest peace projects the world has ever seen, stated in the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950: “World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.” We should not wait for the crises to appear on our television screens to prompt us to act. It is high time that we acted together to address the causes, not the consequences. Peace is not just the absence of war.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The number of crises around the world is at a record high with failing States, frozen conflicts, wars and terrorism creating insecurity around Europe. Our citizens feel that instability. They expect politicians to act boldly, to solve and not to deepen the crises. The ongoing conflicts in Syria, the Middle East and North Africa are threatening the lives of millions. The rising extremism that no borders can contain is a serious challenge to the international community. The degrading humanitarian situation in several conflict zones has forced millions of people to leave their homes, pack their whole lives into a suitcase and embark on a perilous, sometimes even deadly journey to safety. Hundreds of thousands of people are at Europe’s doorstep, reaching out for a helping hand, struggling and fighting for the right to live.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Allow me to congratulate you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency of the General Assembly at its seventieth session. I also wish to extend my sincere gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Sam Kutesa for his work as President of the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session. Today, we celebrate the seventieth anniversary of our unique Organization. We reflect on what we have accomplished, but also on what we have fallen short of achieving. It is also a time to map the way ahead. The Secretary-General has announced “Strong United Nations. Better World.” as the slogan for this year’s anniversary. But are we stronger as a community? Are we shaping a better world for our children? We are living in turbulent times.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Ban Ki-moon, will come to an end. My country greatly values his outstanding leadership and commitment. Bulgaria expects that, when the time comes, the States Members of the United Nations will be able to elect a worthy successor. To that end I would like to recall the relevant General Assembly resolution, which states that, “[i]n the course of the identification and appointment of the best candidate for the post of Secretary-General, due regard shall continue to be given to regional rotation and shall also be given to gender equality” (resolution 51/241, annex, para. 59). Bulgaria is convinced that the time has finally come for the East European regional group to be represented at the helm of the United Nations.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“As a member of the Bureau of the UNICEF Executive Board this year, my country supports and actively participates in all efforts aimed at child protection and achieving results for children. My country is convinced that the United Nations reform process should continue in order to enhance the efficiency, representativeness and transparency of the entire system, and to make it more adequate and responsive to the new realities. As a member of the Eastern European regional group, Bulgaria reiterates its position in favour of allocating at least one additional non-permanent seat to the Group in an enlarged Security Council. Bulgaria aspires to serve as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2018-2019 term. At the end of 2016, the second term of office of the current and highly respected Secretary-General, Mr.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Bulgaria is concerned about the anti-Semitic attacks that have taken place recently, especially in Europe. As a country that saved 48,000 Bulgarian Jews from deportation during the Second World War, Bulgaria strongly condemns the recurring trend of brutal and disgusting manifestations of anti-Semitism. This year, the international community is celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which set a universal standard for the effective promotion of children’s rights. Bulgaria commends UNICEF for its enormous contribution during that time to improving children’s lives and advancing the child agenda around the world.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Bulgaria is determined to further contribute to promoting and upholding human rights internationally as a member of the Human Rights Council for the period 2019-2021, and will rely on its partners’ valuable support of its candidature. My country welcomes the appointment of Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Husein of Jordan as the new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights — an excellent choice by the Secretary-General. We wish Prince Zeid all success in fulfilling his mandate. We support the Secretary-General’s Rights Up Front Action Plan to safeguard human rights around the world. Bulgaria commends Deputy Secretary- General Jan Eliasson for his insightful vision and global leadership with regard to that initiative and his valuable contribution to advancing the human rights agenda throughout the United Nations.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Our society has proved its firm commitment to democratic values and principles. We have witnessed similar political changes across South-East Europe. The Balkan countries have become partners, sharing the same values and projects for the future. We have built bridges of trust, friendship and mutual respect. We are working together to improve links and competition in order to increase prosperity in the Balkans. Human rights, democracy and the rule of law are at the heart of my country’s foreign policy. Bulgaria’s commitment to advancing the human rights agenda throughout the United Nations system was further strengthened under the successful Bulgarian chairmanship of the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee during the sixty-eighth session of the General Assembly.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty was a major achievement of the international community. Just over a year later, the threshold of 50 ratifications was reached this morning. I am glad that my country is among those 50 States that have made the entry into force of that important legal instrument a reality. The Arms Trade Treaty fills a serious gap in international law. It establishes regulations for the trade in conventional arms at the global level. Now its implementation and universalization are of the utmost importance. Twenty-five years ago, the Berlin Wall fell and the democratic transitions in Central and Eastern Europe began. My country Bulgaria chose to become a modern European democracy. We put our country back on the path of freedom, independence, the rule of law and respect for human rights.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We hope that, under his leadership, a Government of broad representation will be established in order to preserve the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. Bulgaria greatly values the role of the United Nations in Iraq and appreciates the contribution of Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, former Bulgarian Foreign Minister, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq. We stand for a just and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-State solution formula. That is possible only through direct negotiations with no preconditions and in conformity with the relevant international obligations. Any durable ceasefire should address both Israeli security concerns and Palestinian demands to abolish the Gaza closure regime.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Bulgaria strongly condemns the armed attacks and killings perpetrated by the Islamic State terrorist organization against religious and ethnic minorities and denounces the brutal execution of innocent people. Bulgaria is an integral part of the broad international coalition against terrorism. A member of the European Union and of NATO, my country lends its political support, as well as humanitarian and material aid, within the scope of its possibilities. We welcome the adoption of Security Council resolution 2178 (2014) on foreign terrorist fighters. Combating radicalization, supporting State-building in Iraq and cooperating with regional partners are essential. We welcome the election of Mr. Haider Al Abadi as Prime Minister of Iraq.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The escalation of violence and the humanitarian situation in Syria continue to be a source of grave concern. Millions of refugees have fled their homeland in pursuit of peace in the neighbouring countries. Hundreds of thousands have lost their lives. More than 10,000 refugees have sought asylum in Bulgaria. A lasting solution to the conflict in Syria can be achieved only through an inclusive political process. We call on the Security Council to unite. The unity of the Security Council is crucial in order for the conflict to be resolved. The Syrian crisis, along with the outbreak of violence and sectarian tensions in Iraq, has exacerbated the security and humanitarian situation in the entire Middle East region.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“We welcome the strong engagement of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the initiatives of the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, as well as the efforts of the trilateral contact group. Russia should stop arming and supporting separatists in Ukraine. In a few days, Ukrainians will vote for a new parliament. They have every right to choose their own future. I sincerely hope that those elections will be a major step forward in building a democratic and prosperous Ukraine. The signing and ratification of the European Union Association Agreements of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia represent an important milestone in the process of the European integration of those countries. The positive change witnessed today in the Balkans would not have been possible without the engine of the European integration.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The security environment in the Black Sea region has been seriously affected. The illegal annexation of Crimea undermines the international order. After the Second World War, we built our world on the clear principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations. They were shattered to pieces in a matter of weeks. Bulgaria strongly supports the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine. My country does not recognize the illegal referendum in Crimea and condemns the annexation by Russia as a violation of international law. Bulgaria joined the numerous sponsors of resolution 68/262 on the territorial integrity of Ukraine. My country welcomes the ceasefire agreement and is looking forward to the implementation of the peace plan. Bulgaria commends all international efforts for the peaceful resolution of the conflict.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“It is crucial that all sides stay engaged and committed to the final goal — an ambitious and forward-looking framework. No real transformative post-2015 development agenda will be possible unless we address the loopholes of the current Millennium Development Goals and build upon the lessons learned. The new framework should be founded on the principles of respect for human rights, inclusiveness, good governance and the rule of law. Youth-specific targets in the areas of education, health care and employment are of paramount importance as well. Development is unthinkable without peace and security. The illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and the conflict in eastern Ukraine have become one of the most serious threats to peace and security in Europe since the Second World War.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“I would like to thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for having organized the Climate Summit. Bulgaria will actively support the completion of the negotiations on the new, universal and legally binding climate agreement in 2015. Bulgaria contributed to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and the development of the post-2015 development agenda through its successful participation in the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals. The Group has fulfilled its mandate. The Group’s report, together with the report of High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (A/67/890, annex), will be the leading documents for our future discussions as we enter the critical phase of the debate on the post-2015 development agenda.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Let me congratulate Mr. Sam Kutesa of Uganda on his assumption of the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session. I also extend my warmest gratitude to Mr. John Ashe for his work as President of the sixty-eighth session. Over the past few months, Bulgaria and the Balkans have suffered unprecedented floods. Thousands of people lost their homes, crops were ruined and many innocent people died. The heavy storms were no longer news but a part of daily life. Nature once again reminded us that today, political statements alone were not sufficient. For the sake of our children and our planet, it is time to act. As a wise man once said, we did not inherit the Earth from our fathers; we borrowed it from our children. Climate change needs to be urgently addressed.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)