site.btaPresident Radev’s Trump Peace Council Invite Draws Criticism, Movement for Rights and Freedoms Call for Parliament Vote

Outgoing President Rumen Radev said on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump had invited Bulgaria to join the founding countries of a planned Peace Council for Gaza. Trump named Radev as Bulgaria’s proposed representative.

The announcement by Radev prompted criticism from Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev, who questioned the timing of Radev’s public response and the absence of a clear position on the initiative and its 20-point plan. Georgiev said the invitation was sent on Sunday and received on Monday, and criticized the delay, saying the President disclosed it “without stating his position on its content”. Georgiev also pointed to the context of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov’s participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, which Georgiev attended as part of the Bulgarian delegation.

In response, the outgoing President’s administration said on Wednesday that the invitation had been received on Tuesday, adding that this refutes Georgiev’s speculation, which is "incorrect and contrary to the facts".

Later in the day, Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) – New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski urged Radev to submit the invitation to the National Assembly for a vote, and then forward it to the Council of Ministers for follow-up steps on accession. Peevski argued that Bulgaria should not stand aside, saying “our country must not miss the opportunity to help build a new, fairer, and more stable world order”