Bulgaria, 2002

At the outset, let me congratulate you, Mr. President,

on your election to this responsible position. Your vast

political experience and diplomatic skills guarantee the

successful discharge of your duties, on behalf of the

United Nations cause and for the prestige of the

friendly Czech Republic.

The events of the past year do not allow us to

treat this session merely as a routine one; they give a

more specific nature. It should go beyond the routine

political declarations and should aim at achieving

specific results. This session should address the

unfinished tasks of the Millennium Declaration and the

new challenges to international peace and security,

primarily the fight against terrorism. The session

should contribute to resolving the persistent problems

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of underdevelopment, poverty and widespread disease

throughout the world.

Unfortunately, regional crises and conflicts in

different parts of the world continue to dominate the

General Assembly agenda. Bulgaria has been closely

following the situation in the Middle East, and it

supports efforts to find fair and lasting solutions. We

share the view that progress can be achieved only on

the basis of dialogue and cooperation between the

parties concerned and with the active engagement of

the “quartet” in this process.

The situation in Afghanistan is still volatile. The

Government needs comprehensive support to enhance

internal stability and security and to rebuild the

country. Therefore, Bulgaria has suggested that the

external debt of Afghanistan be relieved in order to

stimulate economic development of that country.

Iraq has been of a focus of attention of the United

Nations for the past 12 years. The full implementation

of Security Council resolutions concerning Iraq is of

urgent importance. We expect Iraq to comply

immediately and unconditionally with those

resolutions. For its part, the Council must take actions

that will uphold its authority and credibility as the

single international body responsible for the

maintenance of world peace and security. I concur with

the views expressed thus far by Secretary-General Kofi

Annan, President Bush and other previous speakers

about the need to act decisively and without delay to

adopt an effective, workable Security Council position

on this issue.

Bulgaria has come to the fifty-seventh session of

the General Assembly with the added responsibility of

a member of the Security Council. We are strongly

committed to the principles of consensus, constructive

dialogue and transparency in the work of the Council.

The fight against terrorism is a top international

priority today. Yesterday's special meeting of the

Security Council reaffirmed the validity of resolution

1373 (2001) and commended the work of the Counter-

Terrorism Committee. The presidential statement,

supported unanimously by the Council, reflects the

political will for common action against terrorism in all

its forms and manifestations. I would add that the fight

against terrorism should not lead to persecution on

religious or ethnic grounds nor infringe upon human

rights.

Bulgaria is already a party to all international

conventions against terrorism. Moreover, my country

has made a substantial contribution to all international

efforts by sending its contingent to Afghanistan.

Anti-terrorist efforts require a serious rethinking

of current approaches to cooperation. We are aware

that terrorism is often linked to other security threats,

such as organized crime, drug trafficking, corruption,

money-laundering and the illegal arms trade. Bulgaria

has initiated and actively participated in a number of

bilateral and regional cooperation arrangements on

these issues. My country is increasingly effective in

blocking one of the routes of drug trafficking towards

Europe. We have adopted one of the most stringent

laws on export controls over the arms trade and have

been implementing a whole range of its provisions

decisively.

Developments in South-Eastern Europe remain

dynamic and volatile. Yet, for the first time in recent

years it has been positive. I, for one, am optimistic that

the legacy of conflict and confrontation could be

surmounted at long last, and stability, peace and

security can finally be established in the region. This

process should be continued and made irreversible. All

countries in South-Eastern Europe today share the

same European perspective, and this is what gives me

grounds for optimism. For Bulgaria, early membership

in the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty

Organization (NATO) is a strategic priority enjoying

wide public support.

During the years of crisis and post-crisis

management in South-Eastern Europe, Bulgaria has

shown the capacity and proved its ability to generate

stability and security in the region. It continues to

promote the effective and strict implementation of the

Chemical Weapons and Biological Weapons

Conventions. The uncontrolled proliferation of small

arms is another source of terrorism. Furthermore, we

strongly support the United Nations Programme of

Action in this sphere.

International human rights protection should take

place in the spirit of justice and equality, in line with

the United Nations Charter and the principles of

international law. The United Nations should be in a

position to respond promptly and more effectively to

any serious human rights violations. This is why we

support the ongoing reforms in the monitoring

mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights.

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Bulgaria believes that the internal security of any

State lies in the exercise of all human rights by persons

belonging to minorities within the State and is closely

linked to the internal stability of that State. All

individuals should enjoy their rights on the basis of

non-discrimination and equality before the law. In this

regard, we insist that the international community's

efforts should be focused primarily on the

implementation of existing standards.

Decisions should be taken to make the United

Nations more effective in fulfilling its numerous

responsibilities. Bulgaria supports the reform measures

initiated by Secretary-General Kofi Annan. United

Nations reform must continue and take into account in

future the new political and economic realities. In

particular, it must address the specific issues of

sustainable development. I emphasize this point,

because I am still under the influence of the

Johannesburg World Summit, where my country once

again confirmed its strong support to efforts targeted at

the eradication of poverty and achieving sustainable

patterns of production and consumption, as well as

providing decent health care and education to the

Earth's population.

Mr. President, I would like to assure you that

Bulgaria regard the work of the United Nations with a

great sense of responsibility. We stand ready to

participate in the discussions and decision-making on

all agenda items. The world today needs resoluteness

and firmness in order to meet the new challenges to

international peace, security and sustainable

development. The United Nations offers the best

framework for tackling these challenges. Bulgaria is

willing and able to make its contribution to such

international efforts.