First Address of Bulgarian President Radev to the UN's General Assembly

In his speech at the 72nd session of United Nations General Assembly, Bulgaria’s President Roumen Radev called for joint efforts to help those affected by military conflicts in order to return to the path of sustainable development. Radev noted that Bulgaria should address the causes of forced displacement and migration.

Conflicts in many parts of the world continue to undermine international peace and security and the fundamental values of mankind. The outbursts of violence devaste local economies, trigger large movements of refugees and migrants, cause massive spread of diseases, famine and immense human suffering, Radev noted.

Childen are usually the most adversly affected in any crisis situation. Root cuses of armed conflicts should be adressed in a more systematic way through ensuring respwect for human rights and the rule of law, improving the economis situation and promoting social inclusion. Leaving no one behind and reaching the farthest behind first, are not simply political declarations meant to invigorate Agenda 2030, Radev said.

The situation in the Middle East and North Africa remains of deep concern and should be adressed in a comprehensive manner, but the international community should not be destracted from the urgent need to revive the Middle East peace process.

Bulgaria reaffirms its position that the two-state solution formula remains realistic, just and lasting way to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Finding a political solution to the ongoing conflict in Syria and implementing a credible political transition in the country is essential for preserving the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian state, he said.

We support all actions aimed at achieving the earliets possible cessation to hostilities and conducting effective and constructive inter- Syrian negotiations in Geneva in order to achieve a lasting political solution in the crisis.

Another source of deep concern for my country is the situation in Eastern Ukraine, which regretably remains highly volatile despite periodic cease-fire agreements. We reiterate our call for swift and full implementation of the Minsk Agreements which have no viable alternative, Bulgaria's President said.