Minister Ivan Kondov opened the last mural in the competition ‘Bulgaria — More Beautiful in NATO’
20 December 2024 News
Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov opened today in Plovdiv the last mural from the Foreign Ministry’s competition ‘Bulgaria — More Beautiful in NATO’, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of our country's membership in the Alliance.
The artwork was created by the talented graffiti-artist Ivan Yankov and was officially opened by the Minister in the presence of the Mayor of Plovdiv Kostadin Dimitrov, the Regional Governor of Plovdiv prof. Hristina Yancheva and the US Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Kenneth Merten, the Deputy Head of the Embassy of Romania in Bulgaria Catalin Radoi and the Consul General of Türkiye in Plovdiv Korhan Küngerü, as well as public figures, representatives of the academic community and the civil sector, military personnel, students, residents and guests of the city.
‘In 2004, Bulgaria firmly and steadfastly stepped on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration and confidently joined NATO. This act has not only made us an integral part of the global system of stability, security, cooperation and mutual assistance, but has also become a symbol of our enduring commitment to peace and democracy’, Minister Kondov stressed in his welcoming speech.
Ivan Kondov also expressed his satisfaction that the city under the hills has become home to one of the awarded creative projects in the competition. ‘I am glad that this mural was done namely in Plovdiv — the second largest and most important city in the country, a university centre, a cultural capital, a city that is developing rapidly and that attaches great importance to policies for young people’, he further pointed out.
‘This unique work symbolises the strength and unity of NATO. The artist’s vision of partnership, cooperation and unity is vividly embodied in the lion — a symbol of courage and nobility. Bulgaria stands out within the Alliance for its work with partners in the name of security on NATO’s eastern flank and in the Black Sea region’, US Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Kenneth Mertens said in his address.
The Mayor of the city, Kostadin Dimitrov, and the Regional Governor, Prof. Hristina Yancheva, also delivered congratulatory speeches to the attendees. Both they pointed out that the three pillars on which Bulgaria’s NATO membership is based — ensuring security, sharing values and promoting unity — are key to preserving peace and securing the future of the generations to come.
The event in Plovdiv was the last in a series of initiatives and events with which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs celebrated in 2024 the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria's NATO accession.
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