Denitsa Sacheva: Joining the Peace Council does not contradict the European consensus

The decision to join the Peace Council in no way contradicts the pan-European consensus at the moment, said Denitsa Sacheva, Deputy Chairman of the GERB-SDS parliamentary group, to journalists in the parliament. She clarified that next week the government will propose to the National Assembly to ratify the accession.

"We will continue to participate in all decisions that are made in connection with the European consensus," Sacheva also said, adding that Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov will be in Brussels this evening, where he will also take part in a meeting of the European Council. According to her, what happened in no way contradicts the interests of Bulgaria, the European Union or the common efforts to achieve lasting peace. She emphasized that this is an act that must be accounted for, and that it supports the idea that the Middle East should be a zone that is not a source of conflict, but a space in which there is an opportunity for decision-making processes that will be accepted in this region of the world.

Sacheva explained that the decision to join the Peace Council was made yesterday at a meeting of the Council of Ministers, when approval was given for signing. Today, a mandate was given to Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov to join the Council. "Let's not oppose this, what the decisions will be - we have enough time to convince everyone in the National Assembly that this is a decision that is good for Bulgaria," insisted the deputy chairman of the GERB-SDS group. According to her, it is important for our country to participate in decision-making and to have its own voice on security issues, because Bulgaria must be a state that contributes to the formation of these decisions, and not just be part of their implementation. She reminded that we are a border zone from the point of view of security, the Middle East and migration, and as such Bulgaria continues to fulfill its commitments as conscientiously and responsibly as possible, and this in no way contradicts the interests of the European Union.

Joining the Council is not associated with financial obligations for our country, as the contributions are voluntary, Denitsa Sacheva also explained. "We joined the Council not to create unfavorable situations for Bulgaria, on the contrary - we joined the initiative to be there, where we can actively participate and express our position," she added.

Regarding the dates and deadlines, Sacheva commented that "you probably did not expect us to specify a specific date for the conduct of these events, as well as to change the date of the invitation". "I think that another politician is too focused on the dates, and we - on the content," said the MP in response to a question how the decision to join was made and how it was implemented by the government in resignation.

She emphasized that there is no position of the European Union that would prohibit participation in international formats related to dialogue, or restrict the right of states to express their national position. "The characteristics of what the tasks and goals will be are currently changing extremely dynamically," the deputy chairman of the GERB-SDS parliamentary group also explained. "I believe that the fact that Bulgaria is a mediator, a bridge state, in no way harms our national interests," Sacheva emphasized.

US President Donald Trump officially established his Peace Council in Davos, where the World Economic Forum is being held, according to international news agencies. "This council has the chance to become one of the most important bodies ever created," he said. According to Associated Press and DPA, among the countries that are part of the Council is Bulgaria.

"Today Bulgaria joined the Peace Council under the patronage of the United States of America and personally of President Trump," said the Prime Minister in resignation Rosen Zhelyazkov after the official ceremony for the establishment of the Council, which took place in Davos, Switzerland, the press service of the Council of Ministers announced. He clarified that the act of accession is to be ratified by the National Assembly, and the draft ratification will be submitted next week.