Nickolay Mladenov presented results of investigation into the bombing at Bourgas Airport to European ambassadors
07 February 2013 News
“I thank the EU Member States, that have expressed their solidarity with Bulgaria in the fight against terrorism. The truth does not weaken us, on the contrary, it will protect us,” Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov said at a meeting today with EU ambassadors accredited in Sofia. The Foreign Minister briefed the diplomats on the results of the investigation into the bombing at Bourgas Airport, presented after the meeting yesterday of the Consultative Council on National Security.
Minister Mladenov thanked all the partners in the EU and beyond that had helped the Bulgarian authorities in the investigation. “The state leadership and Bulgarian society believe that terrorism in all its forms is one of the most dangerous threats to peace and security in any society. That is why it is Bulgaria’s policy to work with our friends and allies in the fight against terrorism,” Minister Mladenov said.
He said: “As part of the international efforts to combat terrorism, and in the light of the fact that the attack was carried out in an EU Member State, Bulgaria will present the results of the investigation to our European partners. Together with them, we will discuss concrete measures to contribute to preventing similar such terrorist attacks in the future.”
Minister Mladenov said that the investigation into the bombing leads to persons linked to the military wing of Hezbollah.
The Foreign Minister emphasised that the aim of the Bulgarian authorities is that those behind the vicious attack answer in court for their actions
“Bulgaria and Lebanon and the peoples of the two countries have traditionally good relations, as outlined in the statement by Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. We will seek assistance from the country’s government, to bring the investigation into the terrorist attack at Bourgas Airport to a conclusion,” the Foreign Minister said.
Minister Mladenov outlined to the ambassadors the highlights of the Consultative Council on National Security report on the “Risks and threats to national security arising from the political process in the Middle East”. He emphasised that Bulgaria would continue to support the process of democratic change that had started in the Middle East and North Africa. Stability in the region and the resumption of negotiations in the Middle East peace process were crucial, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister said.
In Brussels tomorrow, Minister Mladenov will hold talks with EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and will inform her of the deliberations of the Consultative Council on National Security and will discuss with her the coming discussions in the EU on the topic.