Speech

Mr. Chairman,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

After the fall of the Berlin wall, rejoining the free world we asked ourselves the famous questions of Socrates: "Didn't we arrive after the end of the feast, post festum?"

Today we feel gratified to note that the feast of the Euroatlantic world is just beginning, and there is room in it for anyone who is willing and able to join.

I would not hesitate to define the Madrid Summit as a historic event of the calibre of the Marshall Plan or the founding of NATO itself. Both made history because they learnt from the past while looking into the future.

Our recognition of the importance of the Madrid Summit cannot be overshadowed by or sincere regret that Bulgaria is not among be overshadowed by our sincere regret that Bulgaria is not among the first to be invited. We have our solid arguments. Bulgaria's will for membership is as strong as that of the other Central European nations. But I can assure you that we will accept he decision whiteout dramatising it. With the wisdom and the dignity of a nation with a millennial history.

It took several years for the Bulgarian democracy to overcome the typical diseases of a post-totalitarian transition. It has acquired immunity to them. Now it is mature and well functioning. Our aspiration to be a part of the Euroatlantic family of nations is not prompted by temporary considerations. It is a strategic priority.

Therefore, the political class of Bulgaria will do its best to translate the public energy of expectation into practical action. We know what has to be done and we shall not stop halfway. We share the Atlantic values and we are determined to participate in their development and defence. This is our civilisation choice. It is deeply motivated and final.

Let me be straightforward enough - Bulgaria needs a clear political perspective and a responsible timetable for accession.

Half a century ago Yalta cut of Bulgaria from its natural European environment. The front between the Warsaw Pact and NATO used to run along the Bulgarian border. My country sees no reason to be separated from the Alliance by a border any more. I do hope this wish is mutual.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The contemporary geopolitical logic requires indivisibility of security. This, in turn, implies a consolidation of NATO Southern flank. In fact, I would not be surprised if in the near future it will be augmented by a more coherent Black Sea dimension.

In terms of geography and culture, Bulgaria has always been a part of Europe, and the Euroatlantic security cannot be whole and sound without it.

I wish good luck to the candidates invited to start accession talks. I am sure, their integration in the Alliance will be an achievement for the new NATO. It will be our success too, because it will pave the way to our full membership in the coming years.

In closing, I would like to pay tribute to our hosts for the excellent organisation of this ground-braking event.

Thank you for your attention.