site.btaMarch 18, 2004: Bulgarian Parliament Ratifies North Atlantic Treaty, Nearing Full NATO Membership

On March 18, 2004, Bulgaria’s 39th National Assembly officially ratified the North Atlantic Treaty, completing the country’s parliamentary process to join NATO. This ratification was one of the final steps before Bulgaria became a full NATO member on March 29, 2004, along with six other countries from Central and Eastern Europe (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia) as part of NATO’s largest post-Cold War enlargement.

The decision marked a significant shift in Bulgaria’s foreign and defense policy, moving firmly toward Euro-Atlantic integration after the end of the Cold War and Bulgaria’s exit from the Soviet sphere of influence.

The ratification was seen as a crucial moment for Bulgaria’s security, aligning it more closely with Western democratic allies, and strengthening its commitment to collective defense under Article 5 of the NATO treaty.

Here is the full story that covered the event for BTA's English-language service: 

Bulgaria Ratifies North Atlantic Treaty

Sofia, March 18 (BTA) - The National Assembly ratified the North Atlantic Treaty on Thursday, performing one of the last acts that will take Bulgaria to full membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). The vote was 226 in favour and 4 against. Those who voted against the ratification were four MPs of the Socialist-dominated Coalition for Bulgaria.

Immediately after the vote, National Assembly Chairman Ognyan Gerdjikov signed the ratification bill into law, as well as a letter of request to President Georgi Purvanov to decree its promulgation.

Also in the National Assembly, President Purvanov signed the promulgation decree, an act which was hailed by all those present with a standing ovation.

President Purvanov made a statement, and then a special issue of the "Official Gazette" was brought into the debating chamber, showing that the ratification law was already promulgated and effective.

A set of ratification instruments were signed by the National Assembly Chairman and by Foreign Minister Solomon Passy.

"Bulgaria's membership of NATO does not imply that benefits will come automatically; it implies an opportunity or prerequisites for Bulgarians to live in dignity. The rest depends on us all," President Purvanov said before signing his decree.

The ceremonial sitting of the National Assembly was opened by its Chairman Gerdjikov. "The ratification of the North Atlantic Treaty will be a decisive step forward to implementing one of Bulgaria's principal foreign policy priorities," Gerdjikov said.

"The 39th National Assembly is now faced with the important task of passing the most significant instrument of its entire tenure," Gerdjikov said. "We are stepping into NATO with a clear awareness that our accession means not only security, but also responsibilities, which we are determined to fulfil."

Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha said before the vote that "NATO membership means stability in our troubled times." Membership will also entail prosperity, the Prime Minister said.

"Bulgaria fully deserves to become a member. Accession has been a strategic goal and its achievement is already becoming a fact. This is happening thanks to the efforts of many Bulgarians and the consistent activity of several successive governments," Saxe-Coburg-Gotha said.

"With its actions, this country proved itself as a reliable ally even before its actual accession to the Alliance," the Prime Minister said.

The opposition's Socialist Party leader Sergei Stanishev also acknowledged the contribution of successive governments, as well as parliaments, presidents, and the majority of the public, to the attainment of the NATO membership objective.

"The broad public consensus in this country and today's result would not have been as successful as they are, had it not been for the Socialist Party's position on NATO membership, so consistently maintained over the last few years," Stanishev said. "We believe NATO membership is a great responsibility for the country and its institutions," he said, adding that serious work is still ahead.

Stanimir Ilchev MP, Floor Leader of the ruling Simeon II National Movement, noted that his country has implemented one of its national priorities.

Miroslav Sevlievski MP, who heads the New Times parliamentary group, said Bulgarians are demonstrating a capacity to achieve strategic goals.

Ahmed Dogan MP, who leads the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (the minor partner in the ruling coalition), said his country is joining a zone of stability and security. NATO membership is also opening up another prospect, "which has to do with adding new meaning to such fundamental notions and concepts as national cause, national sovereignty, national interests, national doctrine, and national development strategy," Dogan said.

Ex-foreign minister Nadezhda Mihailova, currently Leader of the opposition Union of Democratic Forces, said that "at the beginning of the twenty-first century NATO is an alliance for sharing risks, burdens, and benefits."

Former Bulgarian prime minister Ivan Kostov, who is currently Deputy Floor Leader of the United Democratic Forces, described the ratification of the North Atlantic Treaty as "the most significant moment for Bulgaria in the process of joining the Western civilization." "Becoming a member of the Alliance, Bulgaria is finally abandoning the unwanted role of a satellite of the post-war Soviet empire," Kostov said.

Alexander Pramatarski, who co-chairs the Popular Union parliamentary group, said the Treaty ratification is "the biggest stride Bulgaria has ever made in leaving its past behind," adding that "we are turning a new page in our history."

The National Assembly sitting was also attended by Vice President Angel Marin, government ministers, the Armed Forces Chief of General Staff, General Nikola Kolev, the members of the Constitutional Court, religious leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, former Bulgarian presidents and vice presidents, former prime ministers, and editors-in-chief of Bulgarian news media. /TTs/VE