site.btaRosen Plevneliev and Anne Brasseur Believe Europe Should Be Preserved as Single Democratic Area

Rosen Plevneliev and Anne Brasseur Believe Europe Should Be Preserved as Single Democratic Area

Sofia, November 26 (BTA) - Meeting in Sofia on Thursday, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev and Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President Anne Brasseur concurred that amid the current crisis the European countries need to reconcile their differences and preserve Europe as a single democratic area based on the rule of law and human rights, Plevneliev's Press Secretariat reported.

The two were unanimous that global challenges like terrorism and migration require a global response and can only be addressed through the concerted effort of the international community.

Plevneliev said that during its Chairmanship of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, which began on November 10, Bulgaria continues to promote democratic values and human rights in Europe. At the end of January, Plevneliev is scheduled to address PACE in Strasbourg.

"Bulgaria has been a Council of Europe member for more than 20 years now and this has helped to strengthen democracy in the country," the Bulgarian President said. He argued that Bulgaria should not remain in a procedure of post-monitoring dialogue. He assured Brasseur that finishing the judicial reform remains in the focus of attention of Bulgaria's civil society and public institutions.

Plevneliev and Brasseur called for united action against the root causes of terrorism, not just the consequences. They believe that social exclusion, inequality and breach of fundamental rights are at the heart of hatred and division. Plevneliev said Bulgaria will continue to honour its international obligations in respect of refugees and asylum seekers, stressing that within the EU the issue can only be solved through joint actions and shared responsibility of all member states.