02.09.2020
“The world is moving into a dangerous and unstable period. Scientists hypothesize that the virus could stay with us for years ahead. Our appeal is clear: we must work together.” This was stated by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in his intervention at the Aqaba Process Virtual Meeting. The Process was initiated in 2015 by the King of Jordan Abdullah II for the purpose of strengthening international and regional cooperation against the threats of terrorism, radicalization and violent extremism.
Participants in the forum are Heads of State and Government of countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Nigeria, Kenya; the USA, the Netherlands, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and other countries are represented at different levels.
“Never before in the history of humankind has it been more important that the whole world work together so as to overcome the sweeping crisis and to check the spread of the virus”, the Bulgarian Prime Minister pointed out.
Mr. Borissov recalled that just two days before this forum, in Slovenia, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva reported a 10% decrease of the GDP globally. “Ever since the Great Depression we have not been confronted with such financial, economic and health problems all at the same time,” Prime Minister Borissov stressed.
A focus in the Prime Minister’s intervention was the contribution of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU to the European perspective for the Western Balkans. “The support that Bulgaria gives to Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo to join the EU while we were the first to support some of the states for NATO membership is likewise a very good guide for the common fight against terrorism and extremism,” Mr. Borissov pointed out. He expressed a hope that after each meeting of the Aqaba Process, the states of the initiative will emerge more united and stronger and their interaction will successfully move forward.
“Urgent action is needed in order to develop immunity,” Prime Minister Borissov stressed. He was firm that efficient multilateral cooperation and solidarity among the states is needed in order to meet the global challenges and cope with the consequences of the pandemic, both in the short and long term.
