Foreign Minister Georgiev Sees Goodwill as Most Likely Motive for Vote of No Confidence

UPDATED Foreign Minister Georgiev Sees Goodwill as Most Likely Motive for Vote of No Confidence

Diana Dukovska, Nelly Zheleva

Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev speaks in Parliament during a debate on a motion of no confidence in the government, April 2, 2025 (BTA Photo/Milena Stoykova)

Sofia,

02.04.2025 10:51 | UPDATED 02.04.2025 11:40

(BTA)

Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev Wednesday said the motion of no confidence in the Rosen Zhelyazkov government was most likely dictated by goodwill, as a way of seeking the truth, the best course for Bulgaria. He was talking in Parliament during a debate on the motion introduced by Vazrazhdane and backed by Velichie and MECh over "the persistent failure of the Cabinet's foreign policy".

In late March, Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov talked of two recent problems in the Cabinet's foreign policy. One is Bulgaria's "shameful reaction" to the death of Marin Marinov in Gaza, "who was killed by the Israeli army", he said. The second one is "the absolutely non-critical inclusion in the so-called coalition of the willing of Keir Starmer, the prime minister of a non-EU country".

On March 26, Vazrazhdane said in a Facebook post setting out the reasoning for the motion that "instead of defending the national interest, the government blindly follows the confrontational line of the liberal elite in Brussels, ignoring the desire of the Bulgarian people for peace, neutrality, and dialogue".

Georgiev stressed the need to be guided by the country's best interests. "When dealing with diplomacy, we must rely on facts and the official truth," said Georgiev. He noted that, with regard to Ukraine, Sofia has adopted the position of 140 UN Member States, NATO and the EU, in accordance with the will of the people who elected the ruling parties in the National Assembly.

As regards Bulgarian UN worker Marin Marinov, who was killed in Gaza on March 19, "we will keep seeking and pressing for the truth", Georgiev said. "When we find out the truth, we will seek compensation and an apology, we will be uncompromising."

"Foreign policy is a matter in which national consensus and unity are needed because this is how the state projects strength, stability and authority," said Georgiev. "I am grateful that in foreign policy, we can demonstrate these qualities, that Bulgaria can send signals supported by the majority of UN Member States, NATO and EU partners, and is among the countries which have shaped the modernity and globality of the world."

"Through all the decisions made over the years, Bulgaria has positioned itself as a respected and authoritative country. Bulgaria is a country leading and generating processes, rather than just agreeing and submitting," the Foreign Minister said.

Georgiev commented: "A vote of no confidence over the failure of foreign policy means that you essentially endorse the vision for foreign policy and support the established course but you believe that the government is not doing a good job. That is how I see what you are saying."

He recalled that the National Assembly, of which the sponsors of the motion are part, had adopted seven resolutions that laid the foundations of Bulgaria's position on Ukraine. This is neither an ideological nor a purely political interest, let alone one shaped under external pressure. "It is Bulgaria's awareness of a strategic necessity stemming from our own vision of how to protect the national interest," the chief diplomat said.

Georgiev noted that Bulgaria is a country of medium resources and capabilities. "If we accept the notion that the stronger and the bigger have the right to impose their power, we would find ourselves in a highly disadvantageous and uncompetitive position. If we assume that what the Russian Federation is doing against Ukraine is justified, we could easily find ourselves in the position of the weaker party, the one being attacked. And if we base everything solely on some subjective historical truth and deny the principles of international law, we risk ending up in the same situation as the ones who have been attacked," Georgiev added.

Countries like Bulgaria, which do not have nuclear weapons or large armed forces, rely on the system of international treaties and norms for their protection, he said. "If we distance ourselves from this system and break away from decisions made by NATO, the UN and the EU, which safeguard and guarantee the international order as we know it - which the Russian Federation is challenging - then, if we become a state subject to aggression tomorrow, we will have neither the moral nor the political right to dispute the notion that the strong can impose their agenda just because they are bigger and more powerful," Georgiev said. He stressed that the national interest determines how Bulgaria approaches conflicts. "Our foreign policy is dictated by national sovereignty, and the signals we send to countries involved in conflicts reflect the way we ourselves want to be treated."

Regarding the death of a Bulgarian citizen in Gaza, Georgiev said he felt deeply saddened and uncomfortable that the name of a respected Bulgarian and UN employee was being used for political purposes. He said he believed that all MPs want to protect Bulgaria's reputation. He stressed that Sofia has done and will continue to do everything possible to find out all facts and circumstances surrounding Marinov's death. "From the moment we were informed of his death on March 19, we set up a taskforce to investigate the facts and circumstances. We have stated repeatedly that we are awaiting official reports, clarifications and final conclusions from Israel and the UN. Our position will be crystal clear and absolutely uncompromising in ensuring that Bulgaria defends every Bulgarian citizen caught in such a situation," the Foreign Minister said.

He added that Bulgaria, with all seriousness, strictness and firmness, will demand both an apology and compensation for Marin Marinov's family, regardless of who is responsible. Not a single representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the state has distanced themselves from this position, Georgiev emphasized. "I absolutely disagree with claims that Bulgaria has not taken a firm stand or that its actions are dictated in some amorphous or any other manner," he said.

Georgiev explained that he had discussed the matter with all parties involved in the situation. "The deeper we explored this tragedy, the more our sorrow and anger grew," the Foreign Minister added.

/RY/