Security challenges are an integral part of the process of national policies' formation
11 September 2013 News
Statement by Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin at the opening of XI International Conference " Security in Southeast Europe - in search of smart solutions ", Sofia, September 11, 2013
Dear Mr. President,
Honorable Deputy Prime Minister,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this year's international conference, which over the years has proved to be an important forum to discuss current security issues. I am delighted that the President and the Deputy Prime Minister are among us this morning, thus confirming the importance of the problems to be discussed on the conference.
In recent years, especially after 09/11/2001, the world has realized that each of us is potentially affected by security threats. In today's world security challenges of an increasingly complex nature, are an integral part of the process of national policies' formation.
The main foreign policy priorities of Bulgaria include preserving continuity, participating actively in the European Union, developing regional cooperation in Southeast Europe and the Black Sea region, including within the EU’s “Eastern Partnership" framework, and sustaining the Bulgarian communities abroad. An essential requirement for the achievement of these objectives is to guarantee safety through effective participation in NATO, CSDP and support for the inclusion of our neighbors to the Euro-Atlantic security environment.
In the context of regional cooperation Bulgaria seeks good neighborhood relations, economic development and improved security environment aimed at connecting the South East with the Black Sea region.
The evolution of the security environment in Southeast Europe shows that the region has to a large extent overcome the instability caused by the collapse of former Yugoslavia in the 90s, mainly as a result of the efforts of these countries to join and integrate into the Euro-Atlantic community. However, some risks such as economic vulnerability and organized crime remain and they require an "smart” solution by joining efforts to achieve optimal results.
Security of the Black Sea region is inseparable from the security of the Euro-Atlantic space, while its geopolitical situation and the characteristics of the regional cooperation in the field of energy sources and transport routes determine its sensitivity to the current security threats.
Apart of the regional context, "smart solutions” are cross-border projects, the added value of which involve guaranteeing competitiveness, employment and conditions for economic growth, as well as regional and Euro-Atlantic security. As a full member of NATO and the EU, Bulgaria participates and contributes to the development of such solutions demonstrated by initiatives such as “Connecting Europe" ( EU), and “Smart Defence” and “The Connected Forces Initiative" ( NATO).
The events in the Middle East and North Africa hold the potential for unlocking refugee waves, instability, terrorism, and economic difficulties. As such, they generate new security risks that need to be addressed adequately.
The technological aspect of security, expressed in the fight against cybercrime, is increasingly becoming an integral part of the concept of “security" in the digitized world and should not be forgotten.
In summary, I would like to emphasize that one of the main goals of the Bulgarian foreign policy is to overcome the inherited problems on regional level and in the bilateral relations. The Euro-Atlantic integration is not only an opportunity to achieve this goal, but the only possible way to guarantee economic prosperity and development on both national and regional level.
I am convinced that today's discussions will identify effective solutions to security problems, because the interaction and coordination in the presence of shared interest are the best prerequisite for successful joint efforts and effective regional security. We in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, strongly rely on the experts at research institutions and universities, and on the activity of the student community for the provision of security assessments and solutions. We highly appreciate their significant contribution to the formulation of specific policies and strategies.