Bulgaria's leader has said his country was making progress in hunting down the terrorists responsible for the July 2012 terrorist attack in Burgas in which five Israelis were killed.
“I perceive that soon we will be able to bring to justice those who are to be blamed for this terrorist act", said Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski in a speech before the World Jewish Congress-Israel and the Israel Council on Foreign Relations (ICFR) in Jerusalem.
He also spoke about Israel's relations with Bulgaria and the upcoming bilateral meetings as a tangible manifestation of the strategic partnership between the two countries. “Bulgaria,” he stressed “is Israel’s close ally. The strategic character of our relationship must continue to develop based on mutual trust, beneficial economic and trade relations, and the hearty friendship between the two peoples.”
Oresharski emphasized the traditionally cordial relations between Jews and Bulgarians and the fact that Bulgarian society refused to acquiesce to German demands to deport the country’s Jewish population to Nazi death camps.
“I am very impressed by the warm and deep feelings toward Bulgaria of Israelis of Bulgarian origin” said the prime minister, who was accompanied by his ministers of foreign affairs, health, and agriculture, as well as by several senior advisors and members of the Bulgarian parliament.
World Jewish Congress CEO Robert Singer said: "The blossoming of this strategic partnership is important for both countries and the region. The WJC looks forward to strengthening and facilitating the relationship between the Jewish and Bulgarian peoples.”
The Jerusalem-based Israel Council on Foreign Relations is devoted to the study and debate of foreign policy, with special emphasis on Israeli and Jewish concerns. It operates under the auspices of the World Jewish Congress.
Photos: Andres Lacko
