site.btaCouncil of Presidents Calls for Speedier Reforms

Council of Presidents Calls for Speedier Reforms

Sofia, January 25 (BTA) - President Rosen Plevneliev and his two predecessors Georgi Purvanov and Petar Stoyanov on Monday rallied behind the idea that reforms in the country should be speeded up.

The three heads of state met within the fourth Council of the Presidents, an initiative taken up by President Plevneliev in 2013.

The three statesmen expressed their sorrow at the absence of the first Bulgarian president Zhelyo Zhelev. Zhelev passed away on January 30 2015 and made his last public appearance at last year's Council of Presidents.

The three heads of state reviewed 2015 and the crises that Bulgaria faced domestically and internationally. The presidents voiced a hope that 2016 will be the year when the judicial reform will be implemented and the citizens will feel its effects. Justice should be present everywhere in society which means above all care for the most vulnerable and inclusion of all marginilized groups. The institutions should be working for the good of citizens and to regain their trust, the meeting noted.

Stoyanov, Purvanov and Plevneliev underscored that the October referendum was a triumph for the civil society in Bulgaria and declared themselves in favour of a greater role for direct democracy.

The presidents condemned all forms of terrorism and were adamant that terrorism was a global threat, which requires a unified and resolute response. They noted a need to ensure public safety and safeguard democratic values.

The heads of state concurred that a pan-European approach was needed to overcome the effects of the unprecedented migratory pressure and the subsequent migrant crisis in Europe. The Presidents argued that the efforts of the European leaders and the international community should concentrate at eradicating the root of the problem and not just at mitigating the consequences.

A quarter of a century after the start of democratic changes in Bulgaria and the establishment of the presidential institution, Stoyanov, Purvanov and Plevneliev decided to set up a presidential library, which will promote the institution and where the public will have access to information about the work of Bulgarian presidents during their tenure.