Reform of the Diplomatic Service

Nickolay Mladenov: The changes to the Diplomatic Service Law open the way of the reform

 

The adopted today changes have a clear purpose – to open the way of the reform in the MFA. This was said today at a press conference by Minister Nickolay Mladenov, after the Council of Ministers accepted the suggested from him amendments to the Diplomatic Service Law.

 

The Bill was subject of public consultation for the last two weeks. Seven of the suggestions made were added in the text, announced the Minister.

The change starts with redefining the functions of foreign policy as such. The role of foreign policy is not only to protect the interests of the state, but also to protect the interests of its citizens and the Bulgarian communities abroad, explained Minister Mladenov.

The changes to the Law prescribe the possibility of fast track career growth for personnel who have proved their qualities. They also initiate the practice of organizing competitions for appointment of professionals, who would best fit the specific needs of Bulgarian foreign policy.

The Law lays the foundations of a new structure of the Ministry, which introduces fewer hierarchical levels through Directorates General, added Minister Mladenov. It envisages the possibility to appoint Sofia-based ambassadors as well as to settle joint diplomatic representations with other EU Member States.


The text does not put limitations to the right of labor of the personnel linked to the former Sate Security. These people will not be able to take certain positions, as listed in the Law for Access and Disclosure of the Documents and Announcing Affiliation of Bulgarian Citizens to the State Security and the Intelligence Services of the Bulgarian National Army. In case they are currently taking such position, they will be reappointed. This way we are going to fulfill the will of the National Assembly expressed in the adopted in the beginning of this year declaration, reminded Minister Mladenov.  
 

The development of the Diplomatic Service as a professional, compact, effective and adaptatable institution is a matter, the success of which is largely dependent on the achievement of the national objectives in the international relations. The suggested amendments and supplements to the Law of the Diplomatic Service have the common purpose to build an organization with optimal role, structure and resources, which is going to be governed effectively and efficiently. The organization should be in the position to react adequately to the dynamic challenges stemming both from inside and outside the country, thus allowing for the satisfaction and motivation of the staff in its work for the successful fulfillment of the Bulgarian national interests and foreign policy goals, meanwhile meeting social expectations. During the past several years the Diplomatic Service has accumulated new and significant responsibilities, associated with the membership of the state in the European Union and NATO, the forthcoming accession into the Schengen Area, political, economic and security effects of the globalization, the emergence of new states in regions of key importance for us, and with the significant increase of the number of Bulgarians abroad.

In 2010, within the government’s program for the creation of a modern State Administration a Strategic Review of the Diplomatic Service was conducted. Among other important issues, the application of the Law of the Diplomatic Service in practice was given special emphasis. The professional analysis of the regulation is synthesized in 41 propositions for amendment and supplementation regarding the organization and functioning of the Diplomatic Service, the status of the diplomatic staff and conditions for career development, mechanisms for collaboration with other institutions in the process of formation and operation of the service, and the procedures concerning the rotation of personnel in diplomatic missions. These suggestions in their basis are carried out in the aforementioned proposed bill.

An important reason behind some of the supplements is the fact that the Diplomatic Service has turned out to be the working place for a considerable number of persons linked to the activities of the former State Security and Intelligence Services of the Bulgarian National Army. Diplomatic Personnel represents the Bulgarian people abroad and in order for their activity to be effective and constructive it has to be free of any allegiances and dependences, especially such relating to the mechanisms of the former totalitarian regime. In accordance with the Declaration of the National Assembly regarding the participation of persons in the Diplomatic Service of modern Bulgaria, linked to State Security and the Intelligence Services of the General Staff of the Bulgarian National Army, the bill offers measures, which aim to eliminate the risk of undermining the international reputation of the country.

The necessity to increase the efficacy of the Diplomatic Service for the achievement of better results at lower cost motivates the decision for improving the organization in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for increasing the criteria concerning professionalism, and for the initiation of new forms of representation abroad, so as to offer flexibility and focus to diplomatic efforts. The proposed amendments and supplements to the Law of the Diplomatic Service address namely these main issues.

“There are enough matters in the Law, which are extremely important for the development of the Diplomatic Service”

This was the statement of the Bulgarian Foreign Minister on May 11 before the Bulgarian National Radio. He shared his arguments with the audience for the proposed amendments which aim to modernize the Diplomatic Service and to put an end to the dependencies formed by the system of State Security during the time of the communist regime.


We put an end to the “parachutists” in the missions

In an interview for Telegraph newspaper the Spokesperson of the MFA presented the proposed amendments in the Law of the Diplomatic Service. The main accent in the bill is the opening of the Diplomatic Service, the structural reform, career growth based on achievements and results, and solution to the issues arising from affiliation of Bulgarian Ambassadors with structures of the former totalitarian Security Service.