SOFIA, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria's new President Rumen Radev took office on Sunday after an inauguration ceremony held here in front of the Unknown Soldier Monument in the presence of the highest state officials and foreign diplomats.
"I will be a president of dialogue and reconciliation, collaboration and balance," Radev said at the inauguration ceremony.
The new president said he would work with the National Assembly, government and other institutions, as well as political parties and civil society organizations, to unite efforts in finding the best solutions for Bulgaria.
He also pledged active work with Bulgaria's partners for the country's accelerated European integration, while highlighting the rights, interests and dignity of the Bulgarian people.
Radev's predecessor Rosen Plevneliev wished Radev to transform the presidential institution into a center of balance, and firmly hold the direction of European and democratic development of Bulgaria.
The 53-year-old Radev became a fighter pilot in 1987 and retired from the army as the commander of the Bulgarian air force in 2016.
He won the presidential election last November with the support of the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party.
