(BTA). Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev Monday spoke at the High-level Meeting of the 67th Session of the EU General Assembly on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels, Plevneliev's press secretariat said. Plevneliev is paying a working visit to the United States to take part in the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly. The Bulgarian Head of State said at the High-Level Meeting that the rule of law is the foundation on which a predictable and fair international order can be built and constitutes the best strategy for peaceful settlement of conflicts.
Plevneliev said that Bulgaria will continue to support the universal abolition of the death penalty. He said that at the start of 2012 Bulgaria joined the Convention Relating to the
Status of Stateless Persons. Also, Bulgaria will do the necessary to speed up the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, Plevneliev said.
"The United Nations is called upon to have a leading role in the fight against impunity and crimes against humanity," Plevneliev said. He urged the UN member nations to unite their efforts in support of the actions of the International Criminal Court. "The evidence of the numerous acts of violence and killings requires the situation in Syria to be investigated by the International Criminal Court," the Bulgarian President said.
Plevneliev said that the capability to mete out justice is also key to the effective fight against terrorism. "The terrorist attack in our territory a few months ago has made us stronger and more determined. Bulgaria is signatory to 15 international conventions and protocols on the fight against terrorism, and supports the adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism," he said.
Addressing the High-level Meeting, Plevneliev announced Bulgaria's decision to bid for membership of the UN Human Rights Council in 2019-2021 and to help its work for the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Bulgaria has a considerable experience in this area but views this possible membership as a challenge and an opportunity to improve its legislation in line with the highest human rights standards, said Plevneliev.
The President noted that Bulgaria remains committed to continuing the reforms of the judiciary and law enforcement. "Reforms in this sector require both the adoption of new, more effective laws, and tangible progress in the fight against organized crime and corruption," said Plevneliev, affirming Bulgaria's readiness to continue cooperating with the EU countries in this direction.
On Sunday Plevneliev met with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Plevneliev's press secretariat said Monday. The two conversed at the UN headquarters during the first day of Plevneliev's working visit to the United States.
It emerged at the meeting that Bulgaria will nominate Irina Bokova for a second term as UNESKO Director-General. The procedure for electing a new UNESCO director general will be held in 2013.
Plevneliev informed Ban Ki-moon that Bulgaria is applying for the first time to be a member of the UN Human Rights Council in the 2019-2021 period.
The UN Secretary-General said that the terrorist attack at Bourgas' Sarafovo Airport is completely unacceptable and such actions should not be tolerated. Plevneliev underscored that Bulgaria will spare no effort to find and punish the perpetrators and thanked Ban Ki-moon for his position, which he expressed immediately after the July 18 attack. The President added that Bulgaria has been investigating the terrorist attack jointly with many other countries, including the US and Great Britain.
Plevneliev also expressed Bulgaria's support for the priorities of Ban Ki-moon's five year action plan, outlined this January. These are sustainable development, preventing and mitigating conflicts, human rights abuses and the impacts of natural disasters; building a safer and more secure world; supporting countries in transition; and working to engage the talents of women and young people.
The President said that this country is working actively on all priorities, pointing out the programme for improving energy efficiency in Bulgaria which is already functioning. "Bulgaria is among the countries which fulfill the criteria for sustainable development, but sustainability of the actions of politicians is needed too," Plevneliev commented.
Plevneliev and Ban Ki-moon discussed the situation in Syria and the Balkans, as well as good neighbourly relations and the European perspective of countries in the region.
The UN Secretary-General highly assessed the work of the Bulgarians in the different UN structures. Currently there are 55 of them, engaged at different positions at the world organization.
Plevneliev attended the official opening of the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, organized by former US president Bill Clinton. Later Plevneliev opened the school year at the Bulgarian schools Rodina, Gergana and Hristo Botev in New York.
