UN General Assembly
2001

Having myself been an exile for more than 50 years, I am very aware of the human tragedy of refugees, whose number and suffering are continuing to increase, as is the case now in Afghanistan. We attach great importance to items on the agenda of the United Nations such as the combat against organized crime and corruption and against illegal drug trafficking. That is why our Government is making a particular effort to this end on our own territory. Monitoring trade in weapons and in dual-use goods and technologies is highly relevant, given the linkage between this kind of trade and terrorism. Let me add that Bulgaria is participating actively in cooperation efforts in the economic and social field and in the areas of human rights, the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, global disarmament and the protection of the environment. These objectives are consonant with those of the new Bulgarian Government: to ensure that the social needs of Bulgarian citizens are met, and to bring about durable economic growth, despite the sometimes difficult international economic situation.