Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit - Speech on Freedom in Sofia - Wolfgang Gerhardt Meets Bulgarian Partners of the Foundation

Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit - Speech on Freedom in Sofia - Wolfgang Gerhardt Meets Bulgarian Partners of the Foundation [Druckversion]

Speech on Freedom in Sofia - Wolfgang Gerhardt Meets Bulgarian Partners of the Foundation

The ‘Liberty Speech’ before a large audience in Sofia. From left: Dr. M.Vassilev, Dr. W. Gerhardt, G. Passy and U. Niemann

The Chairman of the Management Board of Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Liberty, Dr. Wolfgang Gerhardt, Member of the Bundestag, gave a speech in defence of freedom before 150 guests and media representatives on April 7th in Sofia. At this event, organised together with the German-Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Dr. Gerhardt stood up in defence of free thinking and of the free market economy, especially during times of crisis such as we are presently experiencing. Guests at this important event included leading representatives of the Foundation’s liberal partners, prominent Bulgarian public figures and well-known Germans living in Bulgaria, including Ambassador Mr. Michael Geier.. Next, the floor was given to Ms Gergana Passi, the Bulgarian Minister of European Affairs and member of the liberal National Movement for Stability and Progress (NMSS), who spoke on the European dimensions of Bulgarian politics. The Bulgarian Government’s policies have followed liberal concepts and the nation’s economy and finances are relatively stable despite the world crisis.

Chairman Dr. W. Gerhardt with the team of the regional office in Sofia

During the second day of Dr. Gerhardt’s visit, the Foundation delegation, including Mr. Michael Roick, head of the Division responsible for Central, Southeast and East Europe, South Caucasus, Central Asia and the Mediterranean Region, and Ms. Kirstin Balke, head of Freedom Editorial, the Foundation’s press service, had talks with representatives of the two liberal parties, NMSS and MRF. The parties’ joint resolution to continue their support for the successful liberal policies of the current governing coalition was impressive. Both parties have prepared their programmes well for the two elections scheduled for this summer: for the European Parliament and for the Bulgarian Parliament. But both will have to fight the strong populist forces now gathering momentum in Bulgarian politics.

The former Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha, is presented with a medal from the Foundation

Another high point of the visit was the meeting with Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha, Chairman of NMSS whose decisive leadership while Prime Minister laid the foundations for Bulgaria’s accession to the EU and NATO. After a lengthy discussion of the effects of the financial crisis and the region’s geopolitics, Dr. Wolfgang Gerhardt presented the former Bulgarian tsar with the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation medal as a sign of honour.

The working dinner, where four ministers from the two liberal parties joined the representatives from the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Liberty, became an occasion to appreciate the successes achieved in Bulgaria. Mr Daniel Valchev, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Science, thanked Chairman Gerhardt for the Foundation’s long standing support for Bulgarian liberalism.

The Foundation’s Sofia office not only coordinates relations with liberal partners in Bulgaria but is also responsible for the entire region of Central, Southeast and East Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia. That is why the Foundation’s Chairman used the occasion to meet with twelve representatives from regional offices to discuss the challenges faced by the Foundation in its work in this area.