In Strasbourg, Rosen Plevneliev, President of Bulgaria, addresses the European Parliament

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• published: 08 Jun 2016
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EN - In Strasbourg, Rosen Plevneliev (Bulgarian: Росен Плевнелиев), President of the Republic of Bulgaria, meets with European Parliament President Martin Schulz and addresses the European Parliament in a formal sitting - 08.06.2016 - European Parliament, Strasbourg. "The cure to the EU's ills is more solidarity, more rule of law, more synergies and more integration, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev told MEPs on 8 June. "Integration is the only weapon we have to achieve peace, security and human development," he said in plenary, adding: "Erecting borders is a tempting, yet temporary and not sustainable solution." The President also condemned what he called Russia's efforts to destabilise the EU and erode trust in the European project. Referring to the tense relations between the EU and Russia, Plevneliev said: "We have entered a new phase of development, which I call Cold Peace time. We see confrontation and methods from the Cold War time: propaganda wars, cyber-attacks, proxy and hybrid warfare." He said Moscow had initiated "a vast propaganda machine that spreads messages of mistrust". "It seems like they are succeeding," he said. "We've stopped the only engine we have: integration. We are pulling the break on enlargement, Schengen and others." The Bulgarian President argued that Europe should move to "dispel the doubts of Europeans and reassure them we know where we are heading to". "I want that we all start new engines of integration," he said, "The enlargement process, more efficient and coordinated common European foreign, defense and security policy, the European Energy Union, the Single Digital Market, the EU Capital Markets Union and others." Plevneliev also called for a new dynamic and open economic model of Europe: "Europe of the future is a Europe of entrepreneurs, of technology and innovation". Parliament President Martin Schulz thanked Plevneliev for his "brave speech", adding: "Many people in this House share your views and others disagree. I am in the former group." " (European Parliament) Text of President Rosen Plevneliev's speech: "Mr President, honourable Members of the European Parliament, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, it is a privilege to address you today as President of Bulgaria. It is an honour to speak here at the heart of European democracy. I am a proud pro-European President of a pro-European nation. (Applause) We Bulgarians are proud to be an anchor of stability, an engine for positive development in South-East Europe. It is our common duty to defend the European values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law and solidarity. It is our common cause to continue making and shaping history with our project for Europe that is united and at peace. But peace and freedom are tested, are confronted today. We witness the worst security situation since the end of the Second World War. We see fundamental differences between world and regional powers. National borders and international principles are questioned. We witness a much more complicated international system where world and regional institutions and powers are unable to prevent and solve the record number of conflicts. In many regions war and terror prevail. States and institutions disintegrate. Today in Europe we understand that what happens in the Middle East or Africa affects our lives directly. Today borders are making a comeback. The same generation that brought down the Berlin Wall is building new walls in the very heart of Europe today. Yes, the world is out of balance today and it will take time to find a new one. We see unstable regions, unsafe borders and worried citizens. Terrorism is on the rise. At any moment, in any place in the world, there could be a terrorist attack. No one is immune and no one is safe. Today, power in the world is shifting and changing. At the Munich Security Conference, the Russian Prime Minister spoke about the time of the First Cold War, and the New Cold War time we are facing today. I hope we are not heading into a new Cold War. We are not in a time of a new Cold War, but we are rather in a time of Cold Peace. Two years ago, at the Munich Security Conference, I pointed out that Europe has entered a new period. The Ukrainian crisis was the game changer. We have entered a new phase of development, which I call Cold Peace Time. Peace, because nobody wants to have a war, but Cold Peace because we see confrontation and methods from the Cold War time – propaganda wars, cyber-attacks, proxy and hybrid warfare. And some countries got ‘cold’, destabilised and weakened through frozen conflicts. The Russian President often talks about a new balance in the world with spheres of interest of Great Powers that need to be respected. Are we heading towards a new Yalta Conference? If the West allows this, it will be a historic shame. (Applause) (...)" Full text here: goo.gl/HhJTxN © Frédérick Moulin 2016 - EU2016 - EP - All rights reserved.