Europe and the European Union have been largely absent from discussions on Ukraine and the Middle East at the UN General Assembly, President Iliana Yotova said in New York, where the 81st session of the UN General Assembly opened and Bulgaria is represented by her.
Yotova is expected to deliver Bulgaria’s address this evening. During her first day in New York, she met with the president of Slovakia, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, representatives of the World Jewish Congress, King Abdullah II of Jordan and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
She briefed the Slovak president and Türk on the case of Iva Mihaylova from Kočani and on violations of the rights of Bulgarians in North Macedonia, emphasizing Bulgaria’s role as an example of successful ethnic relations in Europe.
Speaking to journalists after a day of assessments and declarations, Yotova said the focus should now shift toward decisions aimed at achieving peace.
She noted that “peace” had been among the most frequently used words in statements by world leaders and in the meetings she attended.
“If we were to conduct a study on the most frequently used word, it would be ‘peace.’ Not war, not conflicts, not crises, but the word ‘peace.’ From all the leaders. From all the meetings I held – four meetings following that, plus participation in a discussion on artificial intelligence and child protection in the online space.” Yotova said.
She referred to UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ assessment of the global situation and said the number of armed conflicts had reached a post-World War II high.
“At the outset, Mr. Guterres made an extremely accurate diagnosis of the world we live in. Sixty armed conflicts – the highest number since World War II. That is the record for the past year, 2025. From this point on – beyond the assessments, the dialogue, and the discussions – it is time for concrete decisions. Politics and diplomacy, combined. Armed conflicts, the escalating arms race – let us put all that aside, sit at the negotiating table, and seek solutions,” the Vice President stated.
Yotova said Europe had received little attention in the speeches and that the EU had remained largely in the background. She said Bulgaria also needed to take part in discussions on how the conflicts should be addressed.
“I will, of course, speak about the conflict in Ukraine. It is a conflict in the heart of Europe. I will speak about peace; I will speak about how we need to sit at the negotiating table – not only with all the interested parties but also regarding what the specific proposal from the European Union countries themselves might be. We cannot simply stand aside and say the conflict between Russia, Ukraine, and the USA should be resolved by them alone. We see the involvement of countries like China and India, yet we lack a European proposal of our own.” Yotova said.
She also called for an EU role in resolving the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. “There can be no peaceful resolution to the conflicts in Ukraine or the Middle East without an ambitious, firm, unequivocal, and expert proposal from the European Union,” Yotova commented.
Earlier, Yotova briefed UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk about Iva Mihaylova. The case is about a young woman from North Macedonia, who was severely injured in a car accident on the road to Štip in early October of last year.
Yotova said her discussion with Türk also covered the treatment of people of Bulgarian origin in North Macedonia, including physical attacks, the closure of Bulgarian clubs and discrimination in employment and university admission.
“I raised the issue regarding the situation of people of Bulgarian origin in the Republic of North Macedonia, specifically, instances where individuals were physically beaten. I also addressed the current enactment of laws leading to the closure of Bulgarian clubs, as well as the discrimination faced by people of Bulgarian origin when seeking employment or university admission. I also highlighted the case of Iva Mihaylova; I explained the details of her situation and outlined all the steps the Bulgarian state has taken so far. Mr. Türk expressed interest and gave assurances that, if we submit a detailed written account of Iva Mihaylova’s story, the matter will be addressed.” Yotova said.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza was another major subject at the UN General Assembly. According to Yotova, the humanitarian catastrophe there featured prominently in statements by world leaders.
“The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is a reality; it was highlighted today in the statements of all major leaders, including the UN Secretary-General. Tomorrow, in my own address, I will speak about the humanitarian aspect of this crisis. I will mention the Bulgarian national who lost his life there while on a humanitarian mission. I will also discuss the need to protect UN personnel during such missions and the specific solutions that an organization like the United Nations must propose.” Yotova said.
She said she hoped to speak with Nickolay Mladenov to receive the latest information on the next steps concerning Gaza.
Yotova also discussed her meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan, saying that their conversation focused mainly on joint projects. She announced plans for a major European Union-level conference to be held in Bulgaria, with participation in the reconstruction of Middle Eastern countries among the issues to be discussed.
“There will be a major new European Union-level conference organized in Bulgaria, to which EU member states will be invited to participate in the reconstruction of Middle Eastern countries; the role of Bulgarian construction companies in this regard was specifically highlighted,” Yotova said.
She also spoke at the high-level event “Protecting Children’s Rights in the Context of Artificial Intelligence: The Coalition for Children’s Rights and Protection in the Age of Artificial Intelligence as an Operational Tool.” The event was co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Kenyan President William Ruto.
Yotova said children’s safety must be considered throughout the development of new technologies and stressed that companies as well as states have responsibilities in protecting children.
“Our responsibility towards children extends to the world we are creating through new technologies. Safety must be embedded from the very stage of technology development, ensuring robust protection for children at various stages of their growth, upholding their dignity, and guaranteeing that their trust is not exploited,” Yotova stated.
She highlighted both the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and the challenges created by unequal access to technology, calling for international efforts to narrow those gaps.
Yotova also emphasized the essential role of families and teachers, saying educators should receive support as they help children develop independent judgment and use technology confidently and responsibly. She added that children’s own views must be included for solutions to be effective.
“Cooperation is essential to address these challenges. A coalition dedicated to protecting children in the age of artificial intelligence can make a practical contribution by sharing experience and effective approaches. For Bulgaria, the significance of this cooperation lies in ensuring that every child can grow up in a safe environment and benefit from technological progress to unlock their potential and build a fulfilling life,” Yotova added.