UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova has said her election to the UN Secretary General's office can "put Bulgaria on the world map".

Bokova, often dubbed a "frontrunner" in the race for the UN top job this year, has however said she would never seek to head the organization without state support."

"I am fully concentrated on the UN Secretary General issues. I feel national responsibility as well and I think there are very good conditions and a chance that this happens."

With the procedure of official submissions of candidacies underway, Sofia is yet to officially endorse its candidate. A number of reports have suggested EU Commission Vice President Kristalina Georgieva, is also seeking to run, but this has not been confirmed.

On Sunday Bokova called on authorities to put forward their candidacy to be able to make "the campaign outside Bulgaria, which is the most difficult one".

Commenting on suggestions Georgieva is also looking for support from Sofia, she added: "I respect her very much as a professional and I believe she has a serious future at the EU Commission".

"Success cannot be achieved through internal competition," but through unity, she also said in an apparent reference to Georgieva.

Bokova added she would never excuse for being the daughter of her father.

Some domestic and Western media outlets have warned against her being endorsed as a candidate, pointing to her father's position as Editor-in-Chief of Rabotnichesko Delo, the Communist party's mouthpiece under the Soviet regime.

"Looking into [one's] origin was a feature of the previous regime. Stalin made people disown their parents. A democratic society should judge people according to what they are."

Bokova voiced her disappointment with publications attacking her in Bulgaria as support for her is growing abroad.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!