site.btaPresident on UN's Srebrenica Resolution: Bulgarian Government's Display of Hesitation, Inconsistency Is Inappropriate

President Rumen Radev commented to journalists on Monday on Bulgaria's position on the UN's resolution designating July 11 as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica. "It is inappropriate for the Bulgarian Government to show hesitation and inconsistency given that we are co-authors of a position for a UN resolution and in this regard all facts and circumstances should be clarified," he stressed.

According to leaked documents published by Bird.bg and then other media outlets, a cable sent by Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev to Bulgaria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lachezara Stoeva called for a last-minute change of Bulgaria's position ahead of the UN vote on the Srebrenica resolution. Stoeva allegedly ignored Glavchev's instructions, and Bulgaria supported the resolution, which it had co-authored. Quoting own sources, Bird.bg says the reversal in the government's position came after communication between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and ex-Bulgarian prime minister and GERB leader Boyko Borissov.

This would not be a precedent, the head of State pointed out. He took part in the award ceremony of the finalists in the CodeIT programming competition in Sofia.

In my presence at the EU Council, Bulgaria defended a position on the rights of our compatriots in the Republic of North Macedonia, when we refocused the EU's attention precisely on human rights and their violation. Then came another government that decided to erase this position, Radev said.

He argued that Bulgaria should be clear and consistent and promote democratic values and principles in the region. A change of Bulgaria's position was definitely not discussed, the President further said.

"I have never stated that Bulgaria has made a decision to send troops to Ukraine," Radev told journalists.

"Apparently, manipulation and distortion of the truth is becoming a permanent feature of Bulgarian politics," he said. "We see how my words are being distorted and we are witnessing how the war in Ukraine is developing. NATO's involvement in this conflict at all levels is an open secret that is increasingly becoming apparent," he said. He argued that this involvement is deepening and poses a risk of uncontrolled escalation. All the speculation on this topic is aimed at swaying public opinion, the President said.