Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristian Vigenin in response to the joint position of the Ambassadors of France and Germany, HE Philippe Autié and HE Matthias Höpfner
11 July 2013 News
In regard to the joint position stated by the Ambassadors of France and Germany, in which issues of importance to Bulgaria were raised, I called at my own initiative a subsequent meeting with Mr. Philippe Autié and Mr. Matthias Höpfner.
Bulgaria, as a member of the European Union, expects that interaction with its partners would be carried out through the established mechanisms of dialogue and co-operation rather than through media reports. I would like to point out that the issues raised by the Ambassadors have built up over the years. They are a matter of concern to the Bulgarian government, that through its actions is seeking step by step to resolve them. Critical evaluations cannot be put forward regarding a government that has been in power for a month and a half. We understand that expectations for change are high, and we rely on the support, trust and expertise of our partners. In this regard, we see in this unusual and unprecedented act a signal of support for our efforts to stabilize the institutions and to carry out genuine action to strengthen the democratic foundations of the state and society.
The Government and the National Assembly from the first day conducted an unprecedented dialogue with the NGOs and civil structures that responded to our outstretched hand. We well understand the intolerance of citizens for decisions that are not based on transparency and that could lead us away from the best European practices. We are ready to accept all constructive proposals on specific issues, so that together we can discuss steps to address the major structural problems.
Bulgaria is going through a difficult process of overcoming distortions that have assumed serious depth in the past four years. During this time, there have been several actions by the previous government, which have led to the strengthening of the oligarchy, the strengthening of monopolies, restrictions on freedom of the media, the undermining of democracy, the suppression of civic activism, and so on. The impact of various economic circles on the model of the political system, the formation of new political entities targeted at the invalidation of democratically elected institutions, must beyond question be rejected because they are incompatible with the European model of democracy.
The basis of European democracy is honest and democratic elections and the central role of national parliaments. After international observers recognized the elections and their outcome, after the Constitutional Court rejected a request that they be declared illegal, it is my understanding that all elected representatives must perform their duties responsibly, because every Parliament needs an active opposition and parliamentary democracy is a shared responsibility, shared by the majority and the minority.
These issues will be the subject of my talks in the near future, as with the foreign ministers of France and Germany, so too with the other member states of the European Union.