13.07.2023
The United Kingdom stands ready to help Bulgaria still more energetically counter disinformation. “We have extensive experience in strategic communications and would like to share it with you”, said His Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador in Sofia Robert John Dixon as he met with Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov.
The two countries are already working together to do that. The Government Communication Service International (GCSI) works with partner governments around the world to share and develop communication expertise. The United Kingdom has trained teams and supported the establishment of such units in various European countries. A new framework project for the period 2022-2025 has been approved for Bulgaria.
The GCSI has been conducting trainings in countering disinformation and in strategic communications together with the Bulgarian government since 2018. The GCSI supports the establishment of a new Department for Strategic Communications at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen Bulgaria’s resilience against malicious information campaigns of third parties. Strategic communications units are to be set up at the Ministry of Defense and the State Agency for National Security (SANS).
The Prime Minister welcomed the willingness of the United Kingdom to support Bulgaria in the endeavor, as “Britain is one of the best examples of a balance between freedom of speech and counteraction of disinformation.” “We respect freedom of speech. We count on cooperation in regulations and legislation in this field so that we clearly define what freedom of speech is and what behavior is unacceptable,” Acad. Nikolai Denkov stressed.
Ambassador Dixon praised Bulgaria for the progress in judicial reform in recent weeks. He offered resources and financial support to enhance cooperation between the two countries to reduce illegal migration.
The Prime Minister and the Ambassador agreed unanimously that the United Kingdom and Bulgaria could upgrade their relationship to strategic partnership. A joint declaration is being drafted to that effect. Hopefully, it will be finalized and signed this autumn.
