Bulgaria needs a clear strategic framework for its role in international relations, and multi-vector diplomacy can only work if it is subordinated to a common goal. This was stated by former Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky in a television interview.
She commented on the governance program of the "Radev" cabinet until 2030 and expressed doubt that it presents a sufficiently distinct vision for the country's desired place in the world. "I read the program carefully. I understood what kind of Bulgaria Prime Minister Radev does not want to be in 2030, but I could not understand what kind of Bulgaria he wants it to be. That is to say, there is no clarity regarding the strategic perspective for Bulgaria, and that personally disturbs me," said Neynsky.
National interest and alliances
According to her, a key issue is how Bulgaria formulates its positions in situations where the interests of the country, the European Union, and the United States do not coincide. "In recent weeks, there have been many events that raised a very important question for me: what is happening and where is Bulgaria when the interests of the USA, the EU, and Bulgaria do not coincide? Where is Bulgaria? How does Bulgaria see itself?" she asked.
In Neynsky's words, the most effective way for the country to assert its national interest is through the democratic formats in which it participates. Membership in such alliances, according to her, increases Bulgaria's international weight.
Criteria and real actions
Neynsky drew attention to what is set out in the program regarding NATO, the UN, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and relations with North Macedonia. She pointed out that, in her view, there is a lack of clear indicators by which to evaluate whether the stated goals have been achieved and whether the Bulgarian interest is protected.
"Regarding North Macedonia, we talk about protecting the rights of Bulgarians, which, of course, is extremely important for people with Bulgarian self-awareness. But at the same time, there are no criteria against which to measure whether these interests are protected, and when criteria are missing, it remains just a diplomatic declaration," she stated.
The former foreign minister also commented on the aspiration for Bulgaria to be a connecting state. According to her, transport corridors in themselves are not enough if the country does not have control over the financing and ownership of key projects.
"We talk about the importance of Bulgaria being a non-peripheral, connecting state, but it is not enough for corridors to pass through the country if you do not own them, if the financing is not yours, and if you are merely providing territory while someone else actually controls the processes from the outside," said Neynsky.
She defined the discrepancy between stated policies and actions as a weakness. "I have seen and heard many good programs that, however, are not backed by real actions, and in my opinion, this is the weakness regarding foreign policy. Not to mention that the role of the foreign minister, as well as the prime minister, is to defend the national dignity of their country. And that is something that, in all cases, must be a priority above everything else that is being planned," she declared.
Ukraine, Iran and the "double standard"
Neynsky saw inconsistency in the way positions on the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran are presented. She pointed out that in one case, there is talk of allied obligations, while in the other, support for Ukraine is described as a risk of being drawn into a war.
"When we comment on the two major conflicts – Iran and Ukraine, we see that regarding Iran, there is talk of fulfilling allied commitments when it comes to problems that might arise, while regarding Ukraine, we say that support for Ukraine draws us into a war, which is obviously a double standard in the two cases," said Neynsky. In her words, such a discrepancy undermines the consistency of Bulgarian diplomacy and weakens the country's foreign policy weight.
The aircraft at Bezmer Air Base
According to Neynsky, the fulfillment of allied commitments and the deployment of aircraft at Bezmer Air Base is correct. However, she made a distinction between the motives cited for the current decision and the public positions before the elections.
"Immediately to the question 'is it correct,' I will say that Bulgaria is fulfilling its allied commitments, and just as the first deployment at the Sofia airport was correct, so is the deployment at the Bezmer airport."
In her words, the first deployment was tied to an agreement with the USA for training exercises, while the second was presented as logistical support related to the conflict in the Middle East.
"In one case, before the elections, Prime Minister Radev, then president and later a candidate for prime minister in his capacity as party leader, played on people's fears, after which he had to take an analogous decision, even under much more difficult circumstances, which he explained in a completely different way using his allied commitments."
She defined this approach as a prerequisite for public distrust.