Dear Madam President of the National Assembly,

Dear Madam Vice President,

Dear Deputy Prime Ministers,

Members of Parliament, and Ministers,

Dear Secretaries and Advisors,

Your Excellencies,

Dear Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the now traditional annual reception for the heads of diplomatic missions in Bulgaria. First of all, I would like to wish you good health and success in your highly responsible mission, and to thank you for your daily efforts to develop and strengthen relations with our country.

 

Although the past year was marked by severe challenges, Bulgarian foreign policy continued to be guided by its conviction to work for the affirmation of security and stability, for dialogue and cooperation. Domestically, as you all know, the year was marked by a prolonged political crisis.

 

Political instability and early elections, however, were not an isolated phenomenon only in our country. The world has entered a new phase of political, economic, climatic, and I might say technological upheavals, and a record number of elections were held worldwide. We also witnessed seismic changes in the political landscape of many countries, and hybrid threats and disinformation became a daily occurrence. All this happened against the backdrop of bloody and fierce conflicts that dominated the international agenda last year and continued to undermine the global security system. All this clearly outlines the need to continue working to strengthen cooperation between countries, which is your main mission.

 

Nonetheless, some developments at the beginning of this year give me cautious hope. And here I do not only mean the formation of a regular government in our country. Certain events this month give us hope that human life and freedom have not ceased to be of paramount value. That common sense, solidarity, and diplomacy can prevail over violence and destruction.

 

We all hope that the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas will put an end to the bloodshed in the Middle East and become a turning point for establishing lasting stability in the region.

 

I would like to express my gratitude to all our foreign partners who extended a helping hand for the release of the crew of the ship Galaxy Leader, including the two Bulgarian sailors taken hostage in November 2023. I would like to personally thank all of you with whom both I and the Bulgarian institutions worked actively to find a solution to this extremely complex case. Special thanks to the Emir of Qatar, the King of Jordan, the Emir of the UAE, the Presidents of Egypt, the USA, Palestine, Iran and Israel, with whom I personally met and spoke on this issue.

 

We also thank you for your assistance in the very difficult process of releasing the Bulgarian citizen Daniella Gilboa, who was taken captive by Hamas. We hope, of course, that all Hamas hostages will be released soon, including the other Bulgarian citizen, Matan Angrest, whose parents I met several times. I would like to express my gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our diplomats, and all institutions that united their efforts, driven by the clear understanding that if a state cannot protect its citizens, it has no future.

 

Last but not least, my satisfaction that the voices calling for an end to the war in Ukraine are getting stronger. Here I would like to welcome the inclusion of ending this bloodshed in the priorities of President Trump's administration for stopping conflicts worldwide and establishing peace. My position on this issue is clear. I have long argued that the war in Ukraine has no military solution and that diplomacy should be given priority. Unfortunately, this was not done in time. We wasted valuable time, during which hundreds of thousands lost their lives, and Ukraine's economy was devastated. My concern is that because of this, the path to finding peace will be a very difficult and complex process.

 

Here I want to state clearly that Europe cannot waste more time in the unprecedented acceleration of the dynamics of geopolitical processes, the intensification of competition, and the collapse of the security architecture. Europe must take responsibility as soon as possible not only for its own defence but also for building a competitive and dynamic economy. Placing technology, science, and innovation at the core of the European economy, making competitiveness a key priority, and clearly stating the ambition to achieve strategic autonomy are major steps forward. It is also very important that the new portfolio of Commissioner for Start-ups, Research, and Innovation, held by a Bulgarian representative, is not only backed by the necessary finances but also finds horizontal presence in all EU policies with economic dimensions.

 

An undeniable success for our country and Romania is our accession to Schengen at the beginning of this year. This will bring significant practical benefits not only for our citizens and businesses but for the entire EU, by enhancing its competitiveness and efficiency. This is a clear testament to the reliability with which Bulgaria guards the EU's external borders. I would like to thank again all the partners who supported us in these efforts, which materialised during the Hungarian Presidency.

 

Strengthening European security in all its dimensions is of critical importance in today's contested world. This is also among the priorities of the Polish Presidency, and I believe this issue will be seriously addressed. It is particularly important to identify those tools that lead to the efficiency and effectiveness of defence capabilities. The inevitable increase in military budgets under these conditions must still follow certain principles that bring us closer together, not divide us. That contribute to overcoming the fragmented European science and defence industry. That lead to enhanced industrial cooperation.

 

NATO and the reliable transatlantic link lay the foundations of European security. Last year we marked 20 years since our accession to the Alliance. Our country continues to develop its own defence capacity and actively contribute to ensuring peace and security by enhancing NATO's overall defence potential and strengthening the European security system.

 

The European enlargement policy remains a powerful tool for strengthening the space of peace, democracy, and the rule of law. Here it must be clear that anyone who wants to join must accept the common rules, follow European principles and values. Unfortunately, in this context, we are witnessing negative trends, and they cannot and should not be tolerated.

 

I strongly hope that increased ambitions, heightened diplomatic activity, and joint efforts for achieving peace, economic, and social progress will mark a better 2025.

 

Finally, I want to address you – the representatives of the diplomatic corps, and thank you for your valuable ideas and support for Bulgarian initiatives. For promoting the positive image of our country worldwide, for attracting foreign investments and supporting Bulgarian exports, as well as for your selfless support of numerous charitable initiatives in Bulgaria.

 

In today's global world, there is no longer a country where Bulgaria does not have its community. I want to thank your countries for supporting our compatriots regarding their labour, educational, cultural, and social rights. As well as for the support to me and the Vice President – Mrs. Iotova, for all initiatives to preserve Bulgarian culture and identity abroad. I want to assure you that our institution remains open to continuing our fruitful cooperation.

 

Once again, I wish good health and success to all of you, to your families, and a productive and pleasant year in Bulgaria, because Bulgaria is a wonderful place.

Good luck!