Bulgaria responded quickly and adequately to the developments in Ukraine
06 March 2014 News
Bulgaria responded quickly and adequately to the developments in Ukraine. We have received guarantees in terms of the language policy and in terms of the protection and involvement of the minorities. There is nothing wrong in Bulgaria’s support for the economic and political stabilization of a neighboring country, commented on "12 +3" Radio program the Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin, who was this week on a two-day working visit to Ukraine.
Minister Vigenin explained that next Wednesday he will inform the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly on the results of his visit. "The participation in the meeting of the Committee in order to discuss the situation in Ukraine, my visit and the subsequent steps, was my suggestion," he said. "I will inform them on the results of my visit, particularly the commitments to the Bulgarian minority in Ukraine, and also on the overall situation in the country, the measures that the Ukrainian government intends to take in internal political aspect, as well as the measures to ease the tension between Russia and Ukraine," the Foreign Minister added.
He pointed out that the current government in Ukraine is elected by a large majority of legitimate and democratically elected Parliament in 2012, and the previous one had resigned before the events. From this point of view there is no power vacuum in Ukraine. If we want to achieve results, including concerning the language and the protection of the Bulgarian minority, we need to talk to someone, and that someone currently in Ukraine is that government, he said.
According to Kristian Vigenin the situation he observed on the ground in Kiev and Odessa, differs slightly from the catastrophe, presented by some media. "The internal situation is calming down. The threat of possible military actions by Russia seemed to have played more unifying effect for the Ukrainian society," he said. In his words, the next steps that were outlined in the internal political aspect will lead to a further stabilization - presidential elections in May, followed by parliamentary elections.
As regards the Russia - Ukraine relations, Minister Vigenin expressed the belief that the threat of military actions must be clearly withdrawn. "I do not believe that nowadays in Europe two European, Slavic, Christian countries could launch military operations against each other. I believe that sound judgment will prevail," he said. According to him, a priority is to establish a normal dialogue because while Russia refrains from talking to the Ukrainian authorities, it is very difficult to achieve the objectives that are set i.e. protection of the Russian language and minority, etc.
EU could also be a secure guarantor that the rights of all people in Ukraine will be respected, said the Foreign Minister, adding that the OSCE mission, which started working yesterday, will also observe on ground whether there is a real threat to the Russian minority in Ukraine. "We didn’t see such signals from the Bulgarians in Odessa. It is calm over there. Bulgarians are not worried, but they are glad that Bulgaria has paid attention and in these difficult days the Bulgarian Foreign Minister was there to encourage them," said Kristian Vigenin.
According to him, at this stage, there are no preconditions for a refugee wave to Bulgaria. "I do not believe that there will be military actions that may cause such wave," he said, adding that even in case of a mass exodus of Bulgarians from Ukraine, the country is ready to meet this challenge.
As regards the possible imposition of EU sanctions on Russia, Minister Vigenin said that Bulgaria has an adequate, balanced position that is accepted by the partners, by the Ukrainian authorities, and by the Bulgarians in Ukraine. He expressed confidence that at today’s meeting, the EU Heads of State or Government will find the right response to Russia's actions.