Statement by Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin on the latest developments in Syria
27 August 2013 News
Bulgaria has repeatedly stated its position on the events in Syria since the outset: outright condemnation of violence as a means of seeking a way out of the crisis, extreme concern about the grave violations of human rights, from the huge flow of refugees and destitute people to the continuously worsening humanitarian situation. Consistently, our country has called for the conflict to be resolved through a broad national dialogue involving all political and social formations.
The stubborn unwillingness of the regime to seek a political exit from the crisis is leading to a constant escalation of the violence. Recent events related to reports about the use of chemical weapons against civilians on August 21, throws the country into a new, extremely dangerous spiral of terror, with unpredictable consequences for the stability and security of the entire Middle East region in the long term.
As a member of the Convention for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Bulgaria is strongly against the use of such weapons by anyone, anywhere. We strongly condemn this inhumane act that has led to the deaths of hundreds of innocent people. It is an unacceptable violation of morality, humanity and international law, and its perpetrators should bear the most severe punishment.
We continue to support and actively engage in international efforts to find a political solution to the crisis. We call on the Syrian authorities to provide immediate, comprehensive and secure access to a team of international investigators and experts from the United Nations and the OPCW to the area of the incident in order to establish the truth. Bulgaria has joined the demarches in UN for the immediate conducting of an investigation.
We also have joined the joint statement by the Australia Group, which condemns the use of chemical weapons in Syria and calls on the country's leadership to take steps for the accession of Syria to the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
We will monitor developments closely and are ready to contribute according to our ability to the finding of an exit from the crisis.