Position of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Society:
The alarming development of the international situation within the framework of the broader processes of forming a new world order and the choice of international organizations and some countries on the path of war instead of that of peace, give us grounds for the following position of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Society, one of the first and main organizations of Bulgarian diplomats, which has preserved the experience and knowledge of recent decades in international relations and diplomacy.
We express our concern in connection with the aggressive rhetoric of some EU member states and the means of rearmament envisaged by the European Commission. These funds will be at the expense of every citizen of the Old Continent and will lead to cuts in key areas - social, health, science, etc. The poorest member states, including Bulgaria, will suffer the most. "Our" funds under the Resilience Plan will probably also be used in the new military package.
We must not become an organization armed to the teeth in which people suffer. The EU and any other military-political structure on the Old Continent cannot replace NATO. The possible distortion of proportions - from social Europe to militarization - will erase the very idea of creating the EU, its achievements over the years. On the other hand, the creation of some kind of Euro-NATO will strengthen the centrifugal forces in the North Atlantic Alliance and will distance the United States from the Old Continent.
The European ruling elites, who have lost not only the connection with public opinion in their countries, but also disconnected from reality, clearly do not understand that responsible leadership is no longer the militarization of the continent, but also the use of diplomacy.
We call for a cessation of speculation with the concepts of independence, freedom, territorial integrity and sovereignty in relation to the war in Ukraine. These imposed narratives have nothing to do with reality, with the true goals of the participants in the proxy conflict. It is primarily about blood money, resources, the creation of new balances, the redistribution of the influence of the main powers in global politics.
Bulgaria is a relatively small European country, a member of a Union that continues to lose its positions in the world. Our task is to assist in restoring the EU's leadership in global politics and economy. And this cannot be done only with weapons and aggressive statements. It cannot be done with calls for some kind of "isolation" of the USA or the Russian Federation in European and world politics. Europe can return to the world arena with dignity only through mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries, with its contribution to the development of the world economy, science and innovation, with increasing its competitiveness, with preserving its Christian culture and identity, with its realistic vision of the future of the world, without imposing demagogy and censorship. However, we doubt that the current European Commission is capable of contributing to the achievement of these goals without deep and painful reforms within the EC itself.
These days are decisive for Ukraine and for the future of the European security architecture.
The EU's choice of a plan for “Rearmament“ and the 800 billion euros needed for this is not a “Plan for Peace“, but a choice for war and the militarization of international relations. Instead, the EU should come up with its own vision for a “Plan for a European Security System“. If the EU continues to insist on war until victory, the question of a new kind of European leadership, oriented towards peace, not war, will soon and urgently arise.
The calls of some European leaders for a “war to the last Ukrainian“ sound too cynical, while they fill the pockets of their military-industrial complex and various multinational companies with Ukrainian money. If Kiev's choice is “war”, Bulgaria must act in proportion to its capabilities and in accordance with its national interests. This means that our actions should not, for example, undermine our own security and limit the capabilities of our army. No obligations should be assumed to send Bulgarian military personnel to Ukraine in any form. At the same time, real actions are needed to protect the rights of the Bulgarian minority in Ukraine, etc.
Regardless of the choice of Kiev and the Western powers supporting it, Bulgaria should formulate and defend its own interests and have a firm position for peace through enhanced diplomacy and a demand for the earliest possible start of negotiations with the participation of Ukraine and a cessation of hostilities. And the government should determine the areas where our country should participate in the reconstruction of this country. Following the example of some of our allies, Bulgaria should also be ready to present to the Ukrainian authorities its justified claims regarding assistance during the conflict. We have no doubt that Ukraine and the EU will take their place at the negotiating table after the US and the Russian Federation resolve their bilateral problems, increase mutual trust and clarify their attitude towards the proxy conflict.