Bulgaria, 1994

Let me, on behalf of the

Bulgarian delegation, congratulate Mr. Amara Essy on his

election to the presidency of the forty-ninth session of the

General Assembly. I should also like to extend my

appreciation to his predecessor, Ambassador Samuel

Insanally, for his proficiency in presiding over the

forty-eighth session.

Diverse, often conflicting trends and events

characterize the present year, which has marked the end

of apartheid in South Africa, a significant breakthrough in

the Middle East peace process and steps towards a

settlement of the problems in Northern Ireland. We have

also witnessed, however, the incredible human tragedy in

Rwanda and the continuing bloodshed in Bosnia. New

hotbeds of tension have emerged in some parts of the

world.

What are, in our view, the parameters of the political

situation in the world, and Europe in particular? Efforts

to build a new world based on the idea of developing the

collective security system envisaged in the United Nations

Charter have received additional impetus. Universal

standards for human rights and international mechanisms

for safeguarding them are being devised. The problems

of population, poverty and the global ecosystem are being

addressed with increasing attention. A concept for

renewed cooperation for development is being considered

in which peace, the economy, the environment, social

justice and democracy are viewed as aspects of the same

movement towards a better world.

At the same time, the elimination of the

contradictions between the East and the West has been

followed by destabilization - temporary, we hope - in

some regions of the world. Acts of aggressive

nationalism and xenophobia, of violence and terrorism,

are becoming more frequent. The numerous conflicts

based on national, ethnic and religious intolerance are

difficult to manage. Among other things, this has

disturbed the balance between the efforts to maintain

international security and the activities in the social and

economic sphere, against a background of spreading

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hunger and poverty and the aggravation of economic and

environmental problems.

These global problems have left their mark on

relations in Europe as in other places. On one hand, new,

historic possibilities for wide cooperation between all

European States have opened up in the process of

promoting a common European identity. On the other

hand, new, as well as reawakened, national interests and

policies are taking shape, and these are interacting with and,

at the same time, counteracting the integration processes.

The end of the ideological and military confrontation

on the old continent has not yet led to the removal of all

barriers. Europe is still divided into zones that differ in

terms of security and economic welfare. It is desirable that

this division be overcome, as the problems of the zones

with less security could be transferred to those with greater

security.

The global political dimension of the ongoing

transition to democracy and a market economy in Central

and Eastern Europe has been largely recognized. Despite

the serious decline in living standards and rising

unemployment, the Bulgarian people voted for transition.

The process of market-orientated reform that started about

five years ago is irreversible. Our association with the

European Union is a manifestation of the European

orientation of my country’s policy and an expression of the

political will to adhere to the universal values of

democracy. We are adapting our economic, social and

trade mechanisms to those of the European democracies

and are actively participating in political dialogue with the

European Union. Though slower than we anticipated, the

economic reforms in Bulgaria are moving ahead.

As a participant in the Partnership for Peace initiative

of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and as a State

with associate status in the Western European Union,

Bulgaria will contribute to the improvement of cooperation

between the Euro-Atlantic and European security

institutions and the relevant United Nations structures.

On the eve of the session of the Conference on

Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) in Budapest

later this year, Bulgaria is confident that the high-level

representatives of European countries will come up with

new ideas to improve the functions of the CSCE, including

cooperation with United Nations.

The Council of Europe - one of the oldest of the

international organizations in Europe - has won recognition

as an organization capable of responding adequately and

in a timely manner to the challenges of our time by

promoting pluralistic democracy, the rule of law and

respect for human rights.

As Bulgaria currently holds the chairmanship of the

Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, I

should like to refer briefly to this body, which already

comprises 32 members. Nine States have joined since

1989, and nine others are involved in a process of

accession. Cooperation between the Council of Europe

and United Nations institutions and between the Council

and some of the specialized agencies has been developed

over many years and has produced concrete results. This

cooperation has now become triangular - combining the

efforts of the Council of Europe, of the CSCE and of the

United Nations. In addition, there is a developing

partnership with the European Union.

In this complex and interdependent environment the

United Nations must increase its capacity to confront the

new challenges if it is to be effective in peace-making

and in the development of social and economic

cooperation between countries. In this context, important

views and concepts are contained in the

Secretary-General’s report "An Agenda for Peace", in his

report on new dimensions of arms regulation and

disarmament and in his agenda for development.

Bulgaria values highly the role of the United Nations

in solving problems directly related to the strengthening

of regional and international security. We support a

peaceful and equitable solution of the conflicts in the

Caucasus region, the Caribbean, Africa and other places.

We are particularly concerned about the conflict in

Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has become one of the

most serious challenges facing European States and

institutions, the entire civilized world and the international

organizations. We call for an immediate end to the war

and the suffering of the population. A political solution

in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be based on respect for

the interests of all parties. There must be compromise

and realism on all sides. In our view, concerted action by

the participants in the Contact Group is the second

prerequisite for the achievement of a lasting and just

solution to the conflict.

Let me once again reaffirm the position of Bulgaria

on the crisis in the former Yugoslavia. My country will

not participate, directly or indirectly, in any military

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activities on the territory of the former Yugoslavia - not

even under the flag of the United Nations - and we call

upon the other Balkan States to do likewise. "Restraint"

should be the key word for the Balkan region. Bulgaria

will continue to pursue a constructive and balanced policy

and will not take part in any one or other grouping of

Balkan countries. Thus it will maintain its stabilizing role

in the region.

Bulgaria subscribes to the view that in the current

circumstances it would not be appropriate to lift the arms

embargo against Bosnia and Herzegovina. This, in our

view, would make the conflict even more uncontrollable.

We welcome the adoption of Security Council

resolutions 941 (1994), 942 (1994) and 943 (1994), which

reflect in a balanced way the current developments in the

region. We hope that the easing of the sanctions against

Serbia and Montenegro will be followed by the adoption of

a responsible policy by the party concerned, thus leading to

further normalization of the situation in the region. We

appeal to the leadership of the Bosnian Serbs to accept the

proposed peace settlement and to act in accordance with the

norms of civilized behaviour.

The crisis in the former Yugoslavia is directly related

to yet another important problem - that of equitable burden-

sharing, not only in implementing the sanctions imposed by

the Security Council but also in overcoming their adverse

effect on the economies of third countries. The decision to

abide strictly by the sanctions has not been an easy one for

us. We joined in the sanctions against Serbia and

Montenegro - sanctions mandated by the United Nations -

in the conviction that they are one of the peaceful means by

which the international community can contribute to a

solution of the conflict. The sanctions have, however,

caused significant direct and indirect losses to my country.

On three occasions since 1991 - as a result of the sanctions

against Iraq, Libya, and Serbia and Montenegro - Bulgaria

has requested consultations with the Security Council

regarding its special economic problems. Let me point out

that the adverse effects of the sanctions have came at a

time of major economic transformation. They distort trade

seriously and hence have a significant negative impact on

the economy, affecting primarily the emerging private

sector.

At a time of reorientation of foreign trade within our

European integration policy, the implementation of the

sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

(Serbia and Montenegro) has cut off our normal trade

routes to European markets. The lack of adequate

alternative transport corridors makes our export activity

much less competitive and sometimes even impossible.

The sanctions are far from being the only source of

our problems and difficulties, but they definitely have a

considerable negative impact on the overall political,

economic, security and social situation in my country. I

would say that the burden of the sanctions exceeds the

point of reasonable economic and social tolerance in

Bulgaria, given the lack of adequate financial, economic

and trade assistance. Urgent measures are imperative to

overcome all those negative effects. Bulgaria would

welcome a more active involvement of international

institutions and the developed countries in, for example,

financing projects for improving the transport

infrastructure of the country as part of the alternative

road, railroad and communication links in Europe.

Another measure could be the provision of better market

access for Bulgarian goods and services. We also hope

that the sanctions Committee established under resolution

724 (1991) will give favourable and timely consideration

to the applications submitted by Bulgarian companies,

especially those for providing humanitarian aid to the

Bulgarian minority in eastern Serbia, whose situation is of

primary concern to us.

The United Nations has shown considerable

understanding of our difficulties and has given us moral

support. I would like to recall the adoption by consensus

of General Assembly resolution 48/210, initiated by

Bulgaria and sponsored by a number of countries. We

now look forward to constructive discussions on the

Secretary-General’s report on this resolution. This should

lead to the General Assembly’s adoption of further

recommendations for practical steps aimed at assisting

third countries in alleviating their special economic

problems.

Bulgaria is of the view that in the process of

restructuring the United Nations account should be taken

of the new political and economic realities of the world,

as well as the specific problems of countries in transition

to a market economy and of small States, while at the

same time observing the principles of international law

and equality set forth in the United Nations Charter.

The improvement of interaction between the General

Assembly, the Security Council and the

Secretary-General, as well as the restructuring of the

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major United Nations bodies in the social and economic

sphere, will contribute to reinforcing the role of the United

Nations in the pursuit of the necessary balance between

preventive diplomacy, promotion of sustainable

development and protection of human rights.

Bulgaria is following with great interest the ongoing

discussion on the question of equitable representation on the

Security Council and increasing its membership while

preserving its effectiveness. Our country is ready to

participate actively in the search for consensus decisions.

We believe that the Security Council’s work would be

much more effective if, in the decision-making process on

regional issues, the positions of neighbouring countries and

States concerned, as well as those of the respective regional

organizations, were taken into consideration. This is

particularly important in cases where the Security Council

considers the imposition of economic sanctions. It would

be useful to prepare and examine in advance a complex

evaluation of the negative effects sanctions would have on

the economies of neighbouring countries.

There is also a need for greater transparency in the

activities of the sanctions Committees. We therefore

suggest that their meetings should be open to interested

States. The respective Chairmen could also conduct

briefings after each meeting to inform the States of the

decisions taken.

The States willing to provide contingents for

peace-keeping operations should also be involved in the

Security Council deliberations regarding these operations.

In addition, the recently established practice of holding

regular meetings of the heads of current operations, the

member States of the Security Council and representatives

of other interested States should be institutionalized,

especially in cases where the Security Council considers the

mandate, composition and nationality of the contingents

involved in a particular peace-keeping operation.

Bulgaria supports the efforts of the international

community aimed at preventing the proliferation of

weapons of mass destruction and at their elimination. At

the forthcoming Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear

Weapons (NPT) review and extension conference, we will

advocate an indefinite and unconditional extension of the

Treaty. We are also happy to announce that this year

Bulgaria ratified the 1993 Convention on the Prohibition of

the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of

Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction. The

Republic of Bulgaria will continue to support regional and

global initiatives on conventional disarmament and arms

control.

In today’s world, peace and security, democracy and

sustainable development are inseparable. We therefore

support the strengthening of the United Nations role in

the social and economic field.

The further liberalization of world trade is an

important factor in development. The successful

conclusion of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade

negotiations provides favourable prospects for wide

liberalization and stable growth of world trade. The

World Trade Organization will be of paramount

importance for the efficient functioning of the global trade

system for the benefit of all countries. We expect that

Bulgaria will be able to finalize its negotiations on

accession to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

(GATT), including the results of the Uruguay Round,

within a time-frame that will allow us to become a charter

member of the World Trade Organization.

Bulgaria is interested in taking all possible measures

aimed at achieving economic stability through sustainable

development. Regional cooperation has a considerable

role in this regard. We hope that the Conference of

Ministers of the Environment of the European countries,

which is to take place in 1995 in Sofia, will contribute to

reinforcing the positive trends in the solution of regional

environmental problems.

The promotion and protection of human rights and

cooperation in the humanitarian field has an especially

important place in Bulgaria’s domestic and foreign policy.

We support the strengthening and promotion of the

United Nations monitoring mechanisms in the field of

human rights, the establishment of the post of United

Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the

increased public awareness regarding human rights in all

parts of the world and the activities of the

non-governmental organizations. The World Summit on

Social Development in Copenhagen and the Fourth World

Conference on Women in Beijing are expected to give a

major impetus to the development and protection of

human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Next year we will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary

of the United Nations. We await it with a sense of

responsibility and hope. I am confident that the efforts of

the international community to build a new world security

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system based on the effective maintenance of world peace

and stability, respect for human rights and promotion of the

market-economy principles and of universal democratic

values will dominate the future of the world Organization.

Bulgaria is prepared to contribute to the achievement of

these goals.