site.btaForeign Minister Mitov Attends EU's External Affairs Council Regular Meeting in Brussels

Foreign Minister Mitov Attends EU's External Affairs Council Regular Meeting in Brussels

Brussels/Sofia, March 16 (BTA) - Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov
attended the regular meeting of the EU's External Affairs
Council here on Monday, the Foreign Ministry reported in a press
release. The problem with the increasing migration pressure on
EU borders was among the main topics on the meeting's agenda.

Consensus was reached regarding the need for a comprehensive
approach and measures for dealing with and managing the
increasing migration flows in the Mediterranean and along the
EU's southern land borders, including Bulgaria. The need to
increase cooperation with countries of origin and transit, as
well as to develop defence programmes, voluntary repatriation
and reintegration of refugees in their homelands, was also
discussed during the meeting. Special attention was given to the
need to increase support for the countries most affected by
migration pressure.

In his speech at the meeting, Minister Mitov stressed the need
of financial assistance for Bulgaria, due to both the increased
migration pressure and the refugees already in Bulgaria.
According to him, better synergy is needed between EU Member
States, based on a solidarity approach.

Among the other topics covered during the meeting were the
preparations for the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga this
May, the crisis in Libya, relations with Africa. The Council
adopted an EU Strategy for Syria, Iraq and the threats from the
Islamic State. The Strategy outlines the actions which the EU
and Member States will take to help restore peace and security
in Syria and Iraq, as well as support countries affected by the
crisis.

"Our hope is for a full ceasefire in Ukraine but the opposite
might happen just as well," Mitov said in a comment for
Bulgarian reporters in Brussels. He said that the EU will use
all available instruments to influence the process and ensure
compliance with the Minsk agreement. "If the agreement fails due
to the Russia-supported separatists in Ukraine, there will be
no doubt that the sanctions [against Russia] will be stepped up.
This, however, is a scenario that nobody wants to see."

Commenting NATO exercises in NATO and other countries in Eastern
Europe, Mitov said that they have been planned months ago.
"When there are conflicts close to the NATO border, we have an
obligation to take action that will enhance the capacity of the
Bulgarian armed forces. This is done across NATO's eastern flank
- not just in Bulgaria," the Minister said.

He also said that the order for snap military exercises by the
Russian army and the readiness demonstrated by Russia call for a
message that NATO has no intention to threaten anybody. "NATO
intends in no way whatsoever to get involved in the Ukraine
conflict or in any other conflict. This is the position of all
NATO member states," the top Bulgarian diplomat noted.

***

BTA correspondent Nickolay Jeliazkov contributed for this story
from Brussels.