Memorandum of understanding and cooperation between the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Bulgaria and the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine was signed in Kyiv by the Prosecutors General of both countries, Ivan Geshev and Andriy Kostin.
The parties agreed to actively cooperate in crimes’ investigation related to Russian aggression in Ukraine, in particular crimes against humanity, war crimes, crimes of aggression and genocide. The importance of building lasting mechanisms for partnership between the institutions was emphasized in the talks between the Prosecutors General of Bulgaria and Ukraine.
Ivan Geshev and Andriy Kostin also discussed the set up of joint investigation teams on war crimes. The Prosecutor General of Ukraine stated that since the beginning of the war, over 80 000 cases of war crimes, aggression and genocide against the Ukrainian people have been registered, whereby over 10 000 against civilians, women and children. Charges were brought against 152 people and 32 were convicted.
Prosecutor Ivan Geshev made his colleague acquainted with the active role of the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office in countering the Russian military and intelligence services in Bulgaria and the Balkans. According to him, the explosive environment in the region makes the countries even more vulnerable and susceptible to malicious Russian influence.
Ivan Geshev assured his Ukrainian colleague that the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office will be a strong and worthy partner so that the two countries can together successfully oppose war crimes, aggression and genocide. "I believe that together we can successfully face any challenge and oppose any obstacle.
I also believe that we are starting a long-term cooperation and interaction in the interest of all Bulgarians and our Ukrainian friends. The lessons of history are in order not to repeat the darkest times”, said Ivan Geshev.
Prosecutor Andriy Kostin expressed his deep gratitude to the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office and especially to the Prosecutor General for the rescue and protection of the families of the Ukrainian prosecutors, who were escorted from Ukraine and sheltered in Bulgaria in the first days of the war. He also expressed gratitude for Bulgaria's support for the UN resolutions condemning Russian aggression. “For me, the signed agreement is not just a guarantee of good cooperation, but a proof of true friendship. In our difficult situation, we really need friends and in times of difficulties one discover who the friends are", said Andriy Kostin.