BULGARIA SEEKS US VOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL MARITIME

UNCLAS SOFIA 000187 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO TOBEY, EUR/NCE NORDBERG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PHSA PREL TSPL BU SUBJECT: BULGARIA SEEKS US VOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION NOMINEE ¶1. Post received a Diplomatic Note from the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, notifying the U.S. government, that Bulgaria will seek a seat in the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The IMO Council will be holding elections at their assembly scheduled to take place in London from December 3 to 14 of 2007. The Government of Bulgaria requests the support of the U.S. government for this nomination. ¶2. A courtesy translation of the text follows: ¶3. Diplomatic Note #: 04-11-10 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria presents its compliments to the Embassy of United States of America in Sofia and has the honor to inform the latter that Bulgaria will seek election on the Council of the International Maritime Organization, (Category "C"),at the 25th Session of the IMO Assembly, to be held in London from 3rd to 14th December 2007. Bulgaria is among the founders of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and has been participating in its work since 1960. It supports the goals and the financial viability of the Organization and honors its commitments to the IMO by also settling promptly and in full its membership dues. Bulgaria is actively involved in all aspects of the work of the Organization. Maritime Safety and Security and Marine Environment Protection are among Bulgaria's main priorities and it will continue to contribute to the broader international efforts to increase global shipping safety and security. Bulgaria supports the conclusion of multilateral agreements on Maritime Safety, Security and Marine Environment Protection. It is among the leading countries of the World in the ratification and implementation of the Instruments, adopted under the IMO auspices and is Party to nearly all International Conventions and other relevant Instruments of the Organization. Bulgarian delegates are active at IMO Meetings and Conferences. A senior Bulgarian official was elected Chairman of the Session of IMO's DSC Sub-Committee. Mention should be made of the efforts of the Government of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian shipping industry, in recent years, to maintain an effective and safe merchant fleet, complying with the requirements of international and national maritime legislation. Bulgaria takes its Flag State role very seriously, requiring Bulgarian flag vessels to meet all relevant IMO standards. Furthermore, the country exercises strictly its responsibilities as a Coastal and Port State. Bulgaria initiated and played a leading role in 1he elaboration of the Memorandum of Understanding on Black Sea Port State Control. In 2006 Bulgaria became a Cooperative Member of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control and it is anticipated that its full membership will be approved at the forthcoming Committee Meeting of the Memorandum. Bulgaria attaches great importance to the technical co-operation in the maritime field, the latter being vital for the achievement of the IMO objectives. Bulgaria has hosted several Regional Seminars within the framework of the IMO Program for Technical Cooperation and Assistance. Currently Bulgarian experts are engaged as IMO consultants and lecturers in the regional courses on Port State Control, organized within the framework of this Program. The Government of the Republic of Bulgaria expresses its hope that Bulgaria's election on the Council of IMO (Category "C") will enable Bulgaria to contribute further to the attainment of the goals of IMO. To that end, Bulgaria would be grateful to receive the valuable support of the Government of United States of America for its candidacy on the IMO Council. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria avails itself of the opportunity to renew to the Embassy of United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. Sofia, 2nd February 2007 EMBASSY OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SOFIA -------------- End text of translation -------------- ¶4. Post recommends supporting Bulgaria's candidancy for the IMO Council, believing it would be a serious and receptive U.S. partner, but understands the Department policy is not to confirm our support for any candidate before the vote. BEYRLE