Joint statement by the Bulgarian Foreign and Defence Ministers

On October 28th , the North Atlantic Council decided to end operation Unified Protector as of October 31st. NATO’s Operation, undertaken with the support and participation of countries from the region and partners across the globe was decisive in saving many human lives, and creating the conditions for the Libyan people to be able to take control of their own future.

“160 servicemen and women from the Bulgarian Navy took part in a key element of the Operation. They served tirelessly and with great professionalism, along their allies, off the coasts of Libya” said Minister of Defence Anu Anguelov. Bulgaria participated in NATO’s naval effort by sending a frigate which was part of enforcing the naval blockade on Gaddafi’s regime for a month in May of this year. “Bulgaria also contributed five naval officers to the command operations of Unified Protector. They will continue to serve until all procedures are finalized and completed” added Minister Anguelov.
“Six months after it was launched NATO’s operation has achieved all its goals. The Alliance’s actions were quick, decisive and in partnership with many non-member countries. I want to particularly welcome the efforts of our Arab partners who were crucial in our joint efforts. The goal of the international community remains to support the efforts of the Libyan people to create a modern, unified and free Libya in which human rights are observed. The first step in this process must be national reconciliation, which would be helped if key members of Gaddafi’s regime were put on trial for their crimes against the Libyan people. Bulgaria will continue to insist that the truth about the political process against the Bulgarian nurses be revealed. The open dealing with the past is a key for the democratization of Libya” concluded Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov.