Address by President Georgi Parvanov at the Traditional Reception
For Ambassadors Accredited to the Republic of Bulgaria
23-01-2009 11:00 |
Boyana Residence
Mr. Prime Minister,
Mr. Vice President,
Speakers of the House,
Members of Cabinet, Members of Parliament,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me particular pleasure to welcome you at this traditional annual meeting, which provides us with an occasion for thought, for recollection, and, of course, an opportunity to outline the parameters of our views for the coming year. Undoubtedly, we have seen out a year that was far from easy, a year full of many challenges for all of us, for the world at large, for the regional and international organizations. And I think that the outgoing year, as well as the incoming one, put to the trial our capability to show solidarity, irrespective of whether we are allies, partners or just friends.
During the past year, Bulgaria has unswervingly pursued its foreign policy priorities. It has proven itself as a solid, reliable, predictable partner within the European Union and NATO. As a new member of the European Union, Bulgaria has, though its actions and initiatives, through its entire policy, aspired to help implement the agenda of the Union as a whole.
We have taken an active part in the preparation and adoption of, and we have swiftly ratified the Lisbon Treaty. We have always been, and we will always be, an active factor in forming the European enlargement policy with respect to our new neighbors, on a range of aspects of our ties and contacts with the countries lying to the east of us, and in seeking a genuinely European policy that really works.
We welcomed back our troops returning from a successful mission in Iraq, and we reconfirmed our willingness to provide, on other similar occasions, our assistance and support to peacekeeping missions.
In the Balkans, Bulgaria remains one of the factors of stability and lasting security. It is hard to keep count of the numerous bilateral contacts realized in the region, while, of course, outlining the parameters of a very active multilateral dialog on all matters, from the economic sphere to the domain of the spirit.
In our quest for new partners, and in our aspiration for reviving our good contacts with old friends, we have undertaken a range of initiatives with respect to Asia, Africa and Latin America. And I am glad that this was not just a matter of pro forma participation in such international summit meetings as were organized, but that through bilateral meetings we have sought solutions to quite specific and important issues.
Bulgaria has been, and will be, an active factor in formulating a modern, proactive energy policy of the European Union; Bulgaria shares the view that a lasting European energy security can only be attained by means of active, equal and mutually beneficial dialog with the countries of the Black Sea region, Central Asia, the Middle East, with all those which could be sources of energy as well as, without doubt, would form parts of the routes of the new projects.
If I have to close by summing up, Bulgaria has indeed been trying to make a foreign policy that is functional, pragmatic, and brings good and promising solutions not just for ourselves but for the entire region and Europe at large.
Domestically, in both an economic and a political context, Bulgaria has successfully tackled the challenges facing it and is in healthy condition. I am sure, and in any event, the Presidential institution will see to it, that this stability is preserved in the period to come. I believe that in the present year, too, there will be greater social responsiveness, greater sensitivity to the needs and expectations of people from different social groups.
In would like to thank you, Your Excellencies, for the cooperation and understanding that we have been receiving from the countries that you represent here in Bulgaria for tackling our issues as well as our common goals and pursuits.
On behalf of all Bulgarian institutions, I would like to wish the peoples you represent a lot of well-being and prosperity in the year 2009.
And to you personally, to your families and loved ones, I wish a lot of good health, personal happiness and successes throughout the year!
Thank you!
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