site.btaPM Zhelyazkov: Bulgarians in US Strengthen Ties, Preserve Traditions

To be independent does not mean building walls, but being part of human diplomacy that spreads virtues beyond borders, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said at a reception at Bulgaria’s Consulate General in New York on the occasion of the 117th anniversary of the country's independence, quoted by the Council of Ministers' press centre here on Tuesday.

He praised the role of Bulgarians in the US in strengthening bilateral friendship and preserving Bulgarian traditions and culture, highlighting the importance of educational initiatives and Sunday schools in maintaining language, identity, and spirit among younger generations.

Zhelyazkov also underlined the Government’s commitment to supporting Bulgarian communities abroad. On Bulgaria’s accession to the US Visa Waiver Program, a key national priority, he voiced hope for swift progress, noting that Bulgaria has met the technical requirements and reduced visa refusal rates to a record 6% in 2024. Visa-free travel and a direct New York-Sofia flight would boost tourism and economic ties, he added.

Greeting the Bulgarian community, Zhelyazkov stressed that the country's greatest victories came with unity, citing the Unification of Bulgaria and the rescue of Bulgarian Jews. He underscored the role of diplomacy at historic turning points and reaffirmed the importance of Bulgaria’s membership in NATO and the EU.

“When we are together, sharing values of humanity and democracy, we have the fragile optimism that we will endure as people and as a nation,” the Prime Minister concluded.