“Your Country Has Such a Big Heart, You Saved Bulgarian Jews,” European Parliament Development Committee Tells Minister Zaharieva
24 January 2018 News
The Committee on Development (DEVE) of the European Parliament applauded Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva after an exchange of views with her, thus expressing its gratitude to the Bulgarian people for saving Bulgarian Jews during World War II.
The presentation of the Bulgarian EU Council Presidency priorities at the Development Committee on the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day prompted statements on this subject.
“Your country has such a big heart,” MEP Norbert Neuser of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats commented. “Seventy-five years ago, in March 1943 Bulgaria provided protection to its Jews. I hope you will continue to be guided by your traditions,” he added. DEVE Chair Linda McAvan joined the congratulations, saying that she would like to thank the entire Bulgarian people.
“Bulgaria is the only country which did not surrender even a single member of its Jewish community, and the Jewish population even increased during that period,” Minister Zaharieva said.
Regarding humanitarian policy, Zaharieva called the MEPs’ attention to the “forgotten” crises and a more effective utilisation of financial resources. She also spoke about EU relations with the African, Caribbean and Pacific States, about development cooperation and humanitarian aid, education in crisis conditions, and the challenges presented by the migrant crisis.
Click HERE for a full video of the exchange of views with the Minister
More photos
