The Bulgarian foreign minister participated today in the first regular meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU, which took place in Brussels. Europe's top diplomats discussed the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, EU-US relations and the situation in the Middle East. This was reported by the press centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs /MFA/.

The Council discussed the latest developments of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine after an informal exchange of views with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga via videoconference. He briefed ministers on the latest developments on the ground, Ukraine's current priorities and needs. In the discussion that followed, Minister Georg Georgiev underlined Bulgaria's support for the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty. "No initiative for Ukraine can be undertaken without Ukraine itself and the EU's participation," the first Bulgarian diplomat said. He outlined the need for continued assistance to Kiev and support for its European integration, and condemned the ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy and other civilian infrastructure. The adoption of a new strategy for the Black Sea region is of key importance for Bulgaria, Minister Georgiev stressed.

European foreign ministers also held an in-depth discussion on the Union's relations with the United States after the inauguration of President Donald Trump and his administration. The Council agreed that the EU-US partnership is based on shared values and on the most extensive bilateral trade and investment relationship in the world. The United States is the EU's most important strategic partner in promoting peace, stability and development around the world. The Bulgarian Foreign Minister stressed the need for a positive agenda in transatlantic relations, the realisation of common interests in the economy, security and defence, energy and tackling common challenges to peace. "It is important for us to continue and develop EU-US cooperation in the Western Balkans and the Black Sea region, which has a stabilising role in this part of Europe," Minister Georg Georgiev stated.

The Council also discussed the situation in the Middle East following recent developments in the region such as the ceasefire in Gaza, the changes in Syria and Lebanon. "Bulgaria welcomes the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the beginning of the release of the hostages, in this sense it is important that the agreement is respected by both sides," the Bulgarian foreign minister stressed in his statement on the issue. He also assessed as a positive step the election of a president and a government in Lebanon after two years of severe political crisis in that country. The development of the situation in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime is also of key importance for stability in the region. This is an opportunity to begin the reconstruction of the country through the inclusion of all communities in Syria and the return of the millions of forcibly displaced Syrian citizens, Minister Georg Georgiev added. The Council reached political agreement on a partial and reversible easing of sanctions. It is aimed at supporting the country's political transition and economic recovery. Restrictive measures against persons and entities associated with the Bashar al-Assad regime, dual-use items, as well as sanctions under the regime against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons are maintained. | BGNES