It is only the building of democratic states that will ensure peace in the Middle East
02 March 2012 News
“All countries in the Middle East and North Africa that seek freedom must build the relevant institutions to ensure respect for human rights and international norms. Only democracy gives these guarantees,” Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov said at a joint news conference with Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Avigdor Lieberman, who is visiting Bulgaria.
Minister Lieberman also expressed support for development, in the countries of the region, of governments that uphold international legal standards and respect human rights. He supported his Bulgarian counterpart in condemning the actions of the regime in Syria and said that the international community must demonstrate its ability to cope with dramatic changes in the Middle East.
“Bulgaria strongly supports the restoration of dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, to achieve lasting peace and stability that will ensure economic development of the whole region,” Minister Mladenov said.
The two ministers also discussed the preparations for the second joint meeting between the governments of Bulgaria and Israel, to be held later this year. The highlights of this meeting will include co-operation in transport, agriculture, information technology, culture and education and health.
For Bulgaria and Israel, assistance in natural disaster situations, including through the involvement of friendly and partner states, is of strategic importance. Such a tradition already exists in relations between Bulgaria and Israel, Minister Mladenov said.
On another topic of key interest for Bulgaria, he outlined the development of new gas deposits in the eastern Mediterranean, particularly in Israel, with a view to the provision of alternative energy sources for Bulgaria.