site.btaBritish Ambassador to Bulgaria on Increasing Security in Increasingly Insecure World

British Ambassador to Bulgaria on Increasing Security in Increasingly Insecure World


Sofia, November 11 (BTA) - The British Embassy in Bulgaria
Tuesday released an analysis by Ambassador Jonathan Allen,
entitled "Increasing Our Security in an Increasingly Insecure
World". Following is the full text of the analysis:

"Europe is surrounded by an 'arc of instability', in the words
of Philip Hammond, the British Foreign Secretary. Bulgaria,
responsible for one of the EU's key external borders, and on the
land route to Syria, is in a key position. It is vital that we,
Bulgaria's allies, step up our support. It is just as important
that Bulgaria retains and enhances its ability to act."

"Although there are many issues of concern, from Russia's
illegal actions in Ukraine, through to migration pressures
across the Mediterranean, the top item on every country's
foreign policy agenda is the rise of ISIL and the situation in
Syria and Iraq."

"However, this is not just a foreign policy issue, dangerous
though it is for peace and stability throughout the entire
Middle East. The character of ISIL, and in particular its
attraction for foreign fighters from EU countries (including
Bulgaria) represents a big and pressing threat to our national
security; to all of us. Tackling it requires action at three
levels."

"Internationally, we need to co-operate ever more closely. We
need to share information about ISIL and about those that fight
for them, as well as about risks to each other's countries. We
need to help each other to fix gaps in our capabilities and to
share best practice, not just on dealing with terrorism but on
preventing radicalisation. In particular, we need to share
information about people travelling between EU countries."

"At national level, we need to do everything possible to make
our countries hostile environments for terrorists and foreign
fighters. That means correctly interpreting the EU's rules on
Free Movement, which make it clear that it is legitimate to
question EU nationals and deny access if they may be entering a
country in order to move on to Syria or elsewhere to take part
in terrorist activity. It means having laws in place that define
as illegal terrorism and its contributory acts, including such
travel and radicalisation of people, and give the authorities
the tools they need to stop it."

"And at community level, we need to be vigilant and ensure that
suspicious activity is reported. We all have a responsibility to
act against radicalisation and prevent those who would exploit
divisions in our societies from doing so."

"The UK works closely with Bulgaria on a range of law
enforcement issues, in particular against organised crime and in
counter terrorism (read here about the Prosecutor General's
visit to the UK). We value highly our co-operation with the
Bulgarian security agencies (for example DANS and its officials)
and have
enjoyed significant successes with them in the past."

"However there have also been major challenges: in 2013, a major
re-organisation was carried out of the security sector, without
any consultation or preparation. That re-organisation meant
that for a long period law enforcement energies were
concentrated internally on structural changes, rather than
externally on fighting crime."

"Every country of course has the right to decide how it
organises its security establishment. However at a time when
Bulgaria faces great challenges on organised crime and
corruption, it would diminish the effectiveness of our
partnership if there was another period of upheaval. We hope any
changes will be fully consulted, planned carefully and
implemented gradually and patiently."

"The UK stands ready to help Bulgaria at a time when it is on
the front line of the EU's response to the terrorism threat from
Syria and ISIL. We depend on the law enforcement and judicial
authorities having the tools they need to respond for our
partnership to produce results."

"The only response to an 'arc of instability' is stability and
solidarity; standing together," the analysis reads.