site.btaUPDATED Bulgarian President in New York: Our Biggest Goal Is to Strengthen Global Security

Speaking to Bulgarian media at the UN headquarters here on Tuesday, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said: "Our biggest goal is to strengthen global security. However, we see that not only has this goal not been achieved but we are also observing quite a few interrelated crises around the world." Talking about the problems facing the world at present, he listed forced displacement, the food crisis, terrorism, organised crime, climate change and the risks associated with artificial intelligence. 

In his words, all these problems require an immediate and adequate reaction. He expressed agreement with the UN Secretary General, who earlier in the day said that the world needs deep reforms.

Radev also talked about the United Nations' continuing efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, which are important for our future. "The UN should become a secure centre of multilateral relations," the Bulgarian head of State underscored.

In his words, the international community's main expectations are related above all with a reform and strengthening of the UN's conflict prevention and resolution capacity. That is the greatest need, Radev added. Bulgaria has undertaken important initiatives on that matter.

Radev put in first place the reform at the UN Security Council, one of the main topics at this year's session of the United Nations General Assembly. "A reform of the Security Council is required, both for permanent and non-permanent members," he said, adding that on this issue Bulgaria insists on an additional seat in the Council for an Eastern European country. He added that efforts were underway to reduce the possibility of initiating global security issues through vetoes.

Radev pointed out that Bulgaria also participates in the efforts to find important solutions in the field of an open and secure digital world. Bulgaria is part of an initiative with the US related to the safe use of systems based on artificial intelligence.

Among the other initiatives in which Bulgaria participates actively is that for the eradication of poverty and the problem with water resources - an issue particularly topical for Bulgaria in the last months, Radev noted.

The Bulgarian head of State also said that from 2024 to 2026, his country is a member of the UN Human Rights Council where it upholds important priorities, such as the fight with discrimination, anti-Semitism and hate speech, gender equality, child protection, protection of media freedom and journalists' safety.

Asked about Bulgaria joining Schengen by land, the President said this country has met all necessary conditions to become part of the border-free area. Several governments - regular and caretaker ones - have worked on that, and Bulgaria has made many diplomatic and technical efforts to join Schengen. Radev added that the protection of the EU's external borders is a task for all Member States, not just the country located at that border.