Headline: Bulgaria’sUNESCO Split: Govt Refuses to Sign Ukraine Security Pact, Orban Visit Sparks Controversy
Bulgaria’s ruling GERB party appears set to block the country from signing a security pact with Ukraine, in a move that has caused diplomatic ripples. The west’s longest-serving prime minister, Boyko Borisov, has drawn parallels with Hungary‘s Viktor Orbán, who coincidentally is visiting Bulgaria on the same day the Ukraine pact was due to be signed.
In an unexpected turn of events, caretaker PM Dimitar Glavchev sought parliamentary approval to sign the agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite not needing it. With GERB withdrawing its support, no such resolution followed, leading to Bulgaria being the only NATO country not to sign the pact, alongside Hungary.
Glavchev, who was set to sign the deal in Brussels, Blues for not doing so, describing it as a "diplomatic scandal." He, however, maintained that the Ukrainian president understood Bulgaria’s position. The caretaker PM expressed concerns over the pact’s 10-year duration, stating it contradicted previous decisions made by the National Assembly.
The signed was due to be inked on the same day that NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg was visiting Bulgaria. Speaking mildly on the matter, Stoltenberg noted that NATO allies are not obligated to sign bilateral agreements with Ukraine.
Bulgaria’s Defense Minister, Atanas Zapryanov, downplayed the significance of the non-signing, stating that the military aspects of the deal are already being implemented.
Zelensky Understands Bulgaria’s Stance
Following the failed signing, Glavchev reported that President Zelensky exhibited full understanding of Bulgaria’s position. He denied any diplomatic incident, stating, "There will be no diplomatic scandal. Full understanding has been shown, and we are waiting for the National Assembly to provide some guidance on what we should do next."
Glavchev dismissed claims that he was stalling the formation of a regular government or budget approval, stating, "I heard that I was undermining the formation of a regular government and that I had stopped the economic process, that the budget was not happening. I even heard that I was blocking the formation of a regular government, which means that international representatives would have to be involved in this conspiracy."
GERB’s U-turn on Ukraine Support
Until now, GERB had consistently backed Ukraine. However, the party’s recent actions have sparked speculation about its motives. Borisov drew a parallel between the current situation and Hungary’s stance, stating, "A few months ago, I would have categorically supported such a treaty. Now, when both Europe and America are talking about ending the war and initiating a peace process, it would be like opening a ‘9 September’ factory for us."
Bulgaria’s largest opposition party, BSP, refused to put the mandate for signing the agreement on the agenda, stating that it fell within the government’s competence according to the constitution.
Bulgaria Aligns with Orban’s Hungary
Bulgaria’s decision not to sign the Ukraine pact aligns it with Orbán’s Hungary, which is currently the rotating EU president. The move may also accelerate Bulgaria and Romania’s entry into the Schengen area.
This is not the first time Glavchev has found himself at the center of a foreign policy controversy. Earlier this year, he was accused of trying to change Bulgaria’s stance on the Srebrenica genocide.
What’s in the Ukraine Agreement?
The agreement, which Bulgaria refused to sign, called for political support for Ukraine and cooperation in security assistance. It was expected to reaffirm Bulgaria’s continued support for Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression and its commitment to international efforts to assist Ukraine in the short and long term.
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