REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
- MINISTER -
Sofia, October 5, 1999
TO MR. OLIVIER DUPUIS,
MEMBER OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,
SECRETARY GENERAL OF
TRANSNATIONAL RADICAL PARTY
DEAR MR. DUPUIS,
Thank you for your letter of July 27, 1999.
I would like to share your opinion about the importance of the role of the International Criminal Court and the necessity of its effective functioning in reality.
The establishment of the International Criminal Court with the adoption of the Statute of July 17, 1998 is a result of long-standing efforts of the international community. This Court is a remarkable advance in the sphere of the progressive development of the international criminal law in confirming this law as a means for ensuring the peace, security and well-being of the world and for imposing international justice through punishment and prevention of the crimes within its jurisdiction.
The Republic of Bulgaria has always supported the establishment of the ICC on the basis of a multilateral agreement, which is commonly acceptable for the international community. The Republic of Bulgaria pursues a policy of adherence to the legal and political principles, on which the Statute of the ICC is based, for the effective prosecution and punishment of the most serious crimes of international concern. Beyond doubt, the enforcement of the Statute, as soon as possible, will be a great success for the universal recognition of these high humane principles.
The ratification of the Statute by the Republic of Bulgaria from a legal and technical point depends on legislative changes in the Bulgarian Criminal Code and in the Code of Criminal Procedure. The aim of these changes is achieving a total conformity between the provisions of the Statute and the relevant regulations in the Bulgarian legislation. According to the Bulgarian authorities, competent in the legislative sphere, the necessary changes can be made with the preparation of a new Criminal Code, a process that is supposed to be finished by the end of the year 2000.
I hope, NU. Dupuis, I have answered with these information to your questions.
Please, accept the assurances of my highest consideration to you.
Nadezda Mihailova
Minister