Unofficial transcript 
Agenda item 37 “Question of Palestine”, November 29, 2012
BULGARIA:  Thank you, Mr. President.  Mr. Vice President, Mr. Deputy Secretary General, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.  Bulgaria subscribes to the declaration on the Middle East peace process and the statement to be made shortly on behalf of the European Union.  Allow me in my national capacity to present a brief explanation of our vote.
My delegation has abstained from the resolution after careful analysis.  We do not expect that the resolution will change the reality on the ground between Israel and Palestine nor that it will speed up a negotiated two-state solution.  Our understanding is that the adoption of the resolution giving to Palestine a nonmember observer state status in the United Nations should in no way prejudice the process of direct negotiations.  Therefore, we call for their immediate resumption without preconditions.  
These talks based on the quartet principles, existing agreements and relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions continue to be the only sustainable way forward to the establishment of a sovereign, democratic and viable Palestinian state, living in peace and security alongside Israel.  
Bulgaria consistently supports the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people pertaining to their right to self-determination.  My country was among the first to recognize the state of Palestine back in 1988.  Just as the Jewish people have a homeland in the state of Israel, the Palestinian people have the right to an independent state of Palestine.  
On a bilateral level, Bulgaria has built and continues to develop close and friendly relations both with Palestine and Israel.  Our main concern, however, is the possible adverse impact of the resolution on the prospect for an early resumption of negotiations.  In view of the critical situation in the region and the international context in which the resolution was moved forward, we have serious doubts whether it would further advance the peace process.
We continually stress the fact that the unilateral actions by either side are counterproductive and threaten the viability of the ultimate two-state solution.  Bulgaria calls on the parties to refrain from any such actions, both bilaterally and in international settings, which could be detrimental to the peace process.  We also appeal to them to work in good faith towards a negotiated settlement, abiding by their publicly-undertaken commitments.
The critical situation in Gaza and southern Israel makes the immediate renewal of the peace efforts more pressing and urgent than ever.  Bulgaria greatly appreciates the diplomatic efforts made by Egypt, the United States and the United Nations -- the Secretary General of the United Nations, which have led to the present cease fire and have encouraged