Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov has addressed the nation at the official celebrations of Liberation Day Thursday evening.

On March 3 Bulgarian celebrate the end of the 1877-8 Russo-Turkish war, which led to the liberation fo the country from a 5-century rule by the Ottoman Empire.

In his speech, President Parvanov stressed on the need to actually build a coutry based on the principles of freedom and dignity, social justice and self-legislation.

"We must not forget the legacy of the founders of the modern Bulgarian state, who put first the spiritual needs of the nation, and created an Academy, a University, and schools all accross the country," stated Parvanov.

He further recalled that the 19th century fighters for freedom of Bulgaria were also fighting for a state that would ensure justice and social equality for all its citizens.

"We now need a state that is powerful - not a state that indiscriminately uses its power," said Parvanov.

He further recalled that in the recent Bulgarian history since Liberation in 1878 there have been frequent attempts on the part of individuals and groups to usurp state power for themselves and to limit the rule of the people - a persisting phenomenon that according to him Bulgaria still needs to get rid of.

"We must bear in mind that the true rule of law stems not from the outside - not from EU institutions for instance - but from ourselves, from what we do in our own country," stated the Bulgarian President.

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