The freedom of expression and the freedom of the press are amongst the most important values and achievements of contemporary democratic societies and no form of terror can change that. This was the position that untied President Rosen Plevneliev and UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, who had talks today at „Dondukov“ 2. Both were adamant that the terrorist attack on the office of the French satirical newspaper „Charlie Hebdo“ is a barbarous and inhuman act of violence against the freedom of speech and the values on which the modern democratic world is based.

Such manifestations of brutality should not divide but unite us, was stressed during the meeting. Irina Bokova underscored that the tragedy of January 7 is an attack against UNESCO and the principles it stands for and defends being the only organization within UN, directly involved with the protection of the freedom of speech, the independence of the press and the security of journalists.

The other topics discussed at the meeting were the current political events in the world, the development of the cooperation between Bulgaria and UNESCO, the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the organization and the 60th anniversary of Bulgaria’s membership in UNESCO.

After the end of the meeting Rosen Plevneliev and Irina Bokova made a visit to the embassy of the Republic of France in Sofia and expressed their condolences and empathy with the anguish of the French people.