"Bulgaria has shown that it is a model of tolerance and respect for people. The fact that representatives of the four main religions in the country - Orthodox Christians, Catholics, Jews and Muslims - are meeting here today is indicative," Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev pointed out in his address to the participants in the international conference "STOP HATE SPEECH" in Sofia. 

In a video address, Manfred Weber, President of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, pointed out that hate speech has a cross-border impact and that is why the Commission is taking decisive action to combat this threat. "About two years ago, we launched an initiative to extend the EU list of crimes to include all forms of hate crime and hate speech based on sexuality, gender, race or religion," Weber recalled. 

For her part, Vice-President Iliana Iotova highlighted the role of the media and raised the issue of the balance between freedom of speech and responsibility for what is said.  Fake news is the best fuel for hatred, she said.