site.btaUPDATED President Radev: World Enters Phase of Big Political, Economic, Social and Technological Upheaval

The world has entered a phase of major political, economic, social and technological upheaval, President Rumen Radev said here on Thursday at the opening of the traditional reception for the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Bulgaria. 

It has been a year of deepening challenges, Radev said. "We are witnessing new conflicts that bring instability and escalation," he added.

The head of State hosted the reception at the National History Museum. 

The President said that he expects the European Union to prove itself as a union based on rules and that Bulgaria and Romania can no longer be outside the full-fledged Schengen area. 

Russia's devastating war against Ukraine is raging close to home for a second year. Every day of this war brings hundreds of human casualties, destruction and immense suffering. Every day of this war is a threat to global peace, security and economic development, Rumen Radev told the diplomats. 

"Disinformation, risks related to the use of artificial intelligence, climate anomalies and natural disasters, demography - all these challenges pose new tests for humanity and the solution lies in our collective efforts," the President added.

In view of this, Bulgaria continues to contribute to ensuring peace and stability, he said. "I expect that Bulgaria will continue to add even more value to the process of elaborating common positions in the EU, NATO and the UN, which are the main vectors of Bulgarian foreign policy," Radev said. According to him, this country's contribution is even more important in the process of dialogue on the need for the EU transform towards a more active geopolitical role and strategic autonomy. 

"The energy crisis and the war in Ukraine prompted us to rethink the notions of good neighbourhood, cooperation and solidarity," Radev said. 

Radev said he expects the Government to be even more active in bringing to completion and signing the memoranda left by the caretaker government for the third bridge between Bulgaria and Romania over the Danube and on the joint management of the northern Greek ports. 

Bulgaria has always been and will be the strongest supporter of the European integration of the Western Balkan countries, Rumen Radev further said.

"In today's dynamic and increasingly global world, there is no country where we do not have a Bulgarian community," Radev told the ambassadors and thanked them for the "support they give to our fellow Bulgarians". 

"Us diplomats feel that Bulgaria is our second home and the friendly Bulgarian people have become our extended family," said Lebanon's Ambassador to Bulgaria Toufic Jaber on behalf of the heads of diplomatic missions. The Ambassador noted the "wonderful Bulgarian people" who are always ready to help and assist.