30 years since Bulgaria's accession to the Council of Europe - the past and new challenges
10 May 2022 News
One of the first organizations that Bulgaria joined after the beginning of the democratic changes in our country is the Council of Europe. On May 7, 1992, Bulgaria became a full member of the oldest and most renowned European organization, whose goals are the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
The accession of our country to the Council of Europe marks the beginning of the subsequent deep constitutional, normative and institutional reforms in Bulgaria. Our membership of the Council of Europe is particularly important because it contributes to the establishment of the fundamental principles of democratic societies - the rule of law, political pluralism and fair political representation, active participation of citizens in political and public life and protection of the rights of all citizens. There is an irreversible desire for continuous improvement.
For more than three decades, Bulgaria has taken its rightful place in the large European community of shared values and ideals. During this period, Bulgaria took the lead and twice chaired the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe - in 1994 and 2016. For us, this was not only a political duty, but also a chance to contribute to the dialogue between member states to find common solutions to major social, economic and cultural problems. Recent developments on the European stage only strengthen our confidence in the need to respect and defend the founding principles of the Council of Europe, in solidarity and in resilience to aggression.
Today, the Council of Europe faces various challenges, which require reaffirming rather than rethinking common values. In this context, Bulgaria's membership in the Council of Europe is also gaining new significance - transforming us from a host country of democratic norms to a state that upholds these norms. Bulgaria is already in the position of a guarantor for their observance. The latter is a privilege, but also a responsibility that Bulgaria, during its thirty-year membership in the Council of Europe, has proven to be able to bear.