Bulgaria confirmed its commitment to the fundamental and universal values related to human rights, freedom, solidarity and the preservation of human dignity
08 December 2011 NewsSpeech by Deputy Minister Dimiter Tzantchev at the ministerial meeting to commemorate the 60th anniversary of UN Convention on the Status of Refugees and the 50th anniversary of UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness
Bulgaria has a confirmed commitment to implementing the basic and universal values related to human rights, freedom, solidarity and the preservation of human dignity, Deputy Minister Dimiter Tzantchev said in an address to the ongoing ministerial meeting in Geneva to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Status of Refugees and the 50th anniversary of UN Convention on the reduction of statelessness, organized under the auspices of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“Bulgaria shares the values contained in the UN Conventions of 1951 and 1961 and sees them as one of the key instruments of international humanitarian law,” Dimiter Tzantchev said.
He welcomed the leading role of the UNHCR in its efforts to strengthen the system of protection of the most vulnerable members of modern society and to create opportunities for their integration.
Deputy Minister Tzantchev emphasised the important role of Bulgaria in the fight against illegal migration and human trafficking in South Eastern Europe. In this way, the country contributes to long-term options for better protecting the rights of asylum seekers and refugees.
Bulgaria's commitment to the Common European Asylum System was reiterated. In this context, Dimiter Tzantchev mentioned the forthcoming national pilot program on resettlement, adding that implementation of the program is expected to begin in 2013.
He underlined Bulgaria's intention to work actively at national, regional and international levels to create a better quality of life for life of individuals in need of protection and to reduce the number of stateless persons.
As a special guest, he addressed the ministerial meeting, which included U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The meeting will end with the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration.