Bulgaria is actively working on its first National Action Plan to combat anti-Semitism
12 May 2023 News
Deputy Minister Kostadin Kodzhabashev today participated in a round table discussion at the Council of Ministers on a draft National Action Plan to Combat Anti-Semitism. The event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the framework of the project ‘Strategic Cooperation between Bulgaria and Norway in Support of Bulgaria's International Commitments to Combating Anti-Semitism and Preserving Jewish Heritage’, funded under the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism.
Deputy Minister Kodzhabashev stressed that Bulgaria is an active participant in all leading international forums dedicated to the fight against intolerance, hatred and discrimination, including anti-Semitism. Our country is proud of its traditions of tolerance and integration of people of different ethnicities and religions in our society, Kostadin Kodzhabashev added and highlighted the rescue of Bulgarian Jews during the Second World War as an inspiration for the fight against contemporary manifestations of anti-Semitism and a positive example for future generations. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs wished successful further work and a speedy completion of the draft national action plan, in the spirit of the best traditions and values of Bulgarian society.
The European Commission's coordinator for combating anti-Semitism, Ms. Katharina von Schnurbein, took part in the discussion via videoconference and provided specific comments and suggestions, noting also the rescue of Bulgarian Jews during the Second World War. The forum was attended by deputy ministers and other representatives from all state institutions with competence in the field of combating anti-Semitism, the Deputy Head of the Embassy of the State of Israel, a representative of the Norwegian Centre for Holocaust and Minority Studies, which is a partner in the development of the draft national action plan, as well as representatives of Bulgarian Jews, civil society and academia.
During the forum, a number of concrete proposals were made in various areas to counter anti-Semitism more effectively.
The draft national plan follows the model of the EC Strategy on Combating Anti-Semitism and Fostering Jewish Life from 2021 and is being developed in fulfilment of one of the national commitments made during the International High-Level Forum on the Commemoration of the Victims of the Holocaust and the fight against anti-Semitism, in Malmö in 2021. The plan aims to strengthen the capacity and expertise of Bulgarian institutions, raise public awareness and expand academic research. The main priority is to prevent anti-Semitism and combat all its manifestations, ensuring the preservation of Jewish culture and life.
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