PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF

B U L G A R I A

TO THE UNITED NATIONS

MILLENNIUM SUMMIT

STATEMENT BY

H.E. MR. PETAR STOYANOV

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

7 SEPTEMBER 2000

New York

Madam President, Mr. President

Excellencies,

I hasten to express my country's support for the growing role and involvement of the UN in promoting and furthering the democratic processes worldwide. This is where we see a direct link with the maintenance and promotion of world peace and security that, we believe, will continue to be a priority in the UN future activities.

The Republic of Bulgaria is actively involved in the international community's effort to settle existing conflicts and secure lasting peace and economic prosperity In the world. That is why we support the need for an effective reform of the peacekeeping operations.

I can inform you about the Bulgarian government's decision to increase its financial contribution for UN peacekeeping operations despite our economic difficulties of a country in transition.

We gained our peacekeeping experience mainly during the Kosovo crisis. The conflict there has demarcated a new phase in the development of the world when states are becoming increasingly interdependent and state sovereignty is acquiring new forms and content. Moreover, the crisis has demonstrated that problems today can only be solved with joint efforts prompted by the sharing of universal human values rather than by temporary considerations.

While on the subject of Kosovo, let me share with you my view that the implementation of a long-term strategy for economic stabilization of the region and its accelerated integration in the European organizations is a key factor for the lasting solution of the crisis there and the restoration of peace and stability to Southeastern Europe. The Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe is a decisive instrument thereof It is the first ever attempt at a post-crisis rehabilitation of a whole region in the context of globalization. Moreover, the economic reconstruction of the Balkans and the bid of many non-European countries' to participate in it could be seen as an attempt to involve the region in the processes of globalization.

The past ten years have given us sufficient evidence of the potential of globalization to address current problems and open up new horizons before humankind. At the same time, it has confronted us with challenges for which we have proved unprepared. It has meanwhile become clear that we cannot afford to opt or not to opt for globalization: it is a fact that we cannot ignore. What we can do is grasp the growing need to manage globalization and act accordingly.

If we are to contain its negative effects we should not allow it to take its course, spontaneously. For it has a tendency to go beyond the economic and technical domain and spill over into the sensitive areas of culture, national traditions and

customs. Here, its impact must be studied thoroughly and ways of controlling it must be sought through a new relevant legislation in the area of intellectual property protection, including traditional knowledge and biodiversity.

Being convinced of the potential of the new information and communication technologies for advancing development I would like to urge the most developed countries to facilitate the access to the Information Superhighway for the developing countries and the countries in transition. Bridging together the "digital divide" will encourage these countries to develop local content on the Internet.

Madam President, Mr. President,

Strengthening the role of the UN will take reforming, renovating and further effective institutional building of the world organization but also its proper adjustment to the new realities.

I believe that the United Nations will continue to be a major factor of socioeconomic, scientific and technical development; environmental protection and humanitarian cooperation on a national, regional and global level. The objectives are clear: sustainable development, addressing and tackling the demographic problems, reducing poverty and ensuring sources of income for all social strata.

This is why we support the efforts, including those of the Secretary General, of reforming and restructuring the Organization's socio-economic sector with a view to achieving the above objectives and creating an adequate regional and global environment that would favour a more dynamic and sustainable development. The Republic of Bulgaria has been making its contribution to this end, notably by participating in the work of ECOSOC and supporting the UNDP activities.

Madam President, Mr. President,

In closing I would like to voice our conviction that guaranteeing and respecting the individual's human rights and basic freedoms is a cornerstone in the development of the democratic civil society. Bulgaria is a party to all major and universal human rights instruments and we support the initiatives aimed at strengthening and increasing the role of the UN control mechanisms In the area of human rights.

I do hope that the Millenniuin Summit will set the proper stage for the UN to be able to successfully play its role in the 21st century.

Thank you!