site.btaBulgaria Signs European Social Charter in Strasbourg

Bulgaria signed the European Social Charter at a ceremony in the Council of Europe, Strasbourg. Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivan Neikov signed on behalf of Bulgaria, alongside Council of Europe Secretary General Daniel Tarschys.

Bulgaria signed the European Social Charter of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, on September 21, 1998. The 38th National Assembly ratified the Charter on March 29, 2000, and it entered into force on August 1, 2000.

The European Social Charter is a key international legal instrument of the Council of Europe. It complements the European Convention on Human Rights by addressing social and economic rights and has been ratified by 21 European states. In 1996, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted a revised Charter, broadening its coverage and ensuring 31 fundamental human rights.

BTA writes:

Ivan Neikov to Sign European Social Charter on Bulgaria's Behalf

Sofia, September 17, 1998 /BTA/ – Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivan Neikov will sign the revised European Social Charter on behalf of Bulgaria on September 21 in Strasbourg, in the presence of Council of Europe Secretary General Daniel Tarschys and Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Chair Leni Fischer, the Labour Ministry press service announced.

In 1996, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted a revised European Social Charter, broadening its coverage and guaranteeing 31 fundamental human rights. The Charter, a key international legal instrument of the Council of Europe, has been ratified by 21 European countries, according to the press service.

Neikov's schedule in Strasbourg on September 21 includes attending the PACE Committee on Social, Health and Family Affairs. Neikov will leave for Strasbourg on September 19 and return on September 23, the statement continued.

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Bulgaria Signs the European Social Charter

Strasbourg, September 21, 1998 /BTA Special Correspondent Tatyana Tsekova/ – Bulgaria has signed the European Social Charter. During an official ceremony at the Council of Europe, Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivan Neikov and Council of Europe Secretary General Daniel Tarschys formalized the agreement.

The Bulgarian government has met one of its commitments to society and future generations, Neikov said after the signing. “We recognize that you are working to achieve full integration into European structures under challenging circumstances, and we value these efforts,” Tarschys responded.

The Charter defines the framework for developing Bulgaria's social model and sets the standards that all future governments must follow, Neikov told Bulgarian journalists after the ceremony. He noted that Bulgaria's current economic conditions do not permit full implementation of all Charter requirements, including the right to fair remuneration. However, once the Charter is ratified, all social legislation must align with its provisions. Neikov expressed hope that the document will be ratified during the current government's term.

The European Social Charter, adopted in 1961, is a fundamental instrument of the Council of Europe. Its core principles include the right to work, social security, and the rights of children and persons with disabilities. Twenty-two of the forty Council of Europe member states have signed the Charter. In 1995, the Charter was revised to incorporate additional fundamental rights, including protection against unemployment and the right to housing.

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With the Signing of the European Social Charter, Bulgaria Moves Closer to the European Social Model, Neikov Believes

Sofia, September 23, 1998 /BTA/ – By signing the European Social Charter, Bulgaria takes a significant step toward aligning with the European social model, said Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivan Neikov after returning from Strasbourg.

Neikov received confirmation from Council of Europe Secretary General Daniel Tarschys that Bulgaria will receive expert support to harmonize its legislation with the Charter. Certain provisions of the Charter can be ratified immediately, while others will require amendments to Bulgarian law, Neikov said.

He plans to propose establishing a council for preparing Charter ratification to the social partners. He expects the preparation process to take 12 to 16 months. Dimitar Manolov, Vice President of the Confederation of Labour "Podkrepa," and Ivan Kokanov, Deputy Chair of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria, expressed satisfaction with the signing.

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Parliament Ratifies the European Social Charter

Sofia, March 29, 2000 /BTA/ – The National Assembly approved the European Social Charter at its second reading. The revised Charter, dated May 3, 1996, was signed by Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivan Neikov on September 21, 1998, under government authorization. Bulgaria commits to 65 provisions of the Social Charter and agrees to oversight of their implementation.

Earlier today, MPs approved the Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The parliamentary culture committee noted that ratification aligns with Bulgaria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen measures for protecting cultural property.

The National Assembly approved a loan agreement between Bulgaria and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the Trade and Transport Facilitation Project in Southeast Europe. The project focuses on infrastructure improvements and has an estimated total cost of USD 12.6 million. Of this amount, USD 7.4 million will be provided as a loan by the IBRD, and approximately USD 3.7 million will be granted by the United States government. The loan has a 20-year term with a five-year grace period.