12.06.2018
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov participated in the plenary session of the Global Conference of the American Jewish Commitee in Jerusalem. The Bulgarian delegation which is on a working visit to the State of Israel, also includes Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Dontchev, the Minister of Education and Science Krasimir Valchev, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Coordinator on Anti-Semitism Gueorg Gueorgiev, and the Mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova.
In his speech during the forum, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov pointed out that, against the backdrop of dynamic global and regional processes, Bulgarian-Israeli relations are steadily developing. "These relations are based on clear principles of engagement, on established mutual trust and shared values, as well as on a common vision for the future of the two neighboring regions," the Prime Minister said.
The Bulgarian Prime Minister reminded that the most striking expression of the relationship between the two nations is the salvation of the entire Bulgarian Jewish community of nearly 50,000 people in the darkest years of the Second World War. This is due to the unwavering position of Bulgarian citizens, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, prominent public figures, and intellectuals. "The history of the salvation of Bulgarian Jews is part of our common history, which we must not forget and we must hand down to our children," Boyko Borissov said. He stressed that today our mission is to prevent the return of xenophobia and anti-Semitism.
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov thanked the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu for acknowledging the merit of our ancestors for the salvation of Bulgarian Jews. "Very soon we will have two identical monuments in Sofia and Tel Aviv, dedicated to this historic fact and manifesting our mutual appreciation," Borissov said.
"As a member state of the EU, and even more as Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Bulgaria remains committed to regional and international partners to support efforts to resume the peace talks in order to find a solution to the conflict between the State of Israel and Palestine," the Bulgarian Prime Minister said. He noted that the Middle East peace process is stalled and cannot find the necessary momentum to lead the two nations to the ultimate status agreement. Borissov said that the vision of the Bulgarian Presidency to improve the connectivity of the Western Balkan countries as a key tool for bridging the differences in the region could be applied here. "I hope that this attempt will bear results for these nations and will serve as an encouragement for other regions to overcome conflicts," he said.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister noted that Israel is an important and constructive part of the modern architecture of international relations. "Without Israel, Europe and European civilization would have been in a greater danger from rising radicalism and religious fundamentalism in the Middle East," said Boyko Borissov. According to him, the opening of the sixth European office of the American Jewish Congress in Sofia is yet another exceptional recognition for the active and balanced policy of Bulgaria in the Balkans and in Europe and evidence for the prestige and reputation of our country.
