Bulgaria expects that the newly adopted in Ukraine Law on education should in no way affect the rights and chances of our compatriots in the country to study their native tongue. This is what President Rumen Radev called for at a meeting in New York with his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko. "We agreed on lifting any restrictions whatsoever on the teaching of the Bulgarian language at schools both in terms of quantity and quality of classes", the Bulgarian head of state commented to journalists at the end of the meeting. 

 

President Petro Poroshenko has taken on the commitment to react promptly should the Bulgarian head of state get any complaint by our compatriots in Ukraine after the legal amendments were passed. Soon Ukraine's education ministers will visit Bulgaria and all issues pertaining to the launched reforms in education, and those related to improving the protection of the local ethnic Bulgarian community and their opportunities to study their native tongue will be decided on the spot. This is what transpired from Rumen Radev's words. 

 

During the meeting the Bulgarian head of state has been reassured by his Ukrainian counterpart that within Ukraine's decentralization, no actions will be taken for the administrative division of the historical Bolgrad region where many compatriots of ours are living. Furthermore, the option has been considered for the possible removal of the increased control over the business of Bulgarian companies by virtue of Decree No 449 of the Ukrainian government because of the difference in the tax rates adopted in the two countries. 

 

President Rumen Radev has reconfirmed our country's categorical support for Ukraine's prospects for joining the European Union and has expressed his readiness to share Bulgaria's experience in this process. 

 

Taking a journalist's question on the occasion of launching a common debate in the UN General Assembly, the Bulgarian President emphasized that among the most important messages was the recognition on the part of all UN member states of the UN's global role in tackling the issues of military crises, migration, the fight against poverty and climate change. 

 

Asked to comment on the speech made by US President Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly, the Bulgarian head of state said he was impressed by the message communicated to the effect that the UN would be a strong organization, if its members were strong, sovereign and independent states. This message highlights the need to defend the interests of your own country and people, regardless of the organizations or alliances you are member of, and we could draw lessons from this message, Rumen Radev pointed out. "I have no idea whether it has been understood in Bulgaria that, in order for you to be a factor in diplomacy and your voice be heard, you should have the appropriate military power. The two cannot possibly be divided. President Trump announced that in a fairly clear way, and this year the United States have their biggest defense budget allocations and their strongest army. Let us see why they think in such terms and how Bulgaria considers these issues", the president further said.

 

Upon the invitation of the president of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, the Bulgarian head of state took part in the setting up of the Global pact on environment. 

 

President Rumen Radev also took part in the reception given by US President Donald Trump to the heads of the delegations taking part in the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.