site.btaVazrazhdane Slams Culture Ministry for Refusing to Host UNESCO Meeting

At the start of business in the National Assembly on Thursday, Parliament heard a declaration on behalf of the Vazrazhdane Parliamentary Group against the Culture Ministry decision to decline to host the 47th Session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee. MP Angel Yanchev, who presented the declaration, described the refusal constitutes as "diplomatic disgrace".

“The refusal also deals a heavy blow to our cultural identity,” he said, adding that instead of making the most of hosting the session, Bulgaria chooses to shirk its responsibilities. As a case in point, he mentioned the ancient city of Nessebar on the Black Sea coast, which is at risk to be removed from the UNESCO World Heritage List after years of careless maintenance. The MP noted that instead of taking a leadership role, Culture Minister Marian Bachev had chosen the path of least resistance: capitulation.