site.bta Foreign Minister Mitov, British Foreign Secretary Hammond Make Joint Statement Following Meeting

Foreign Minister Mitov, British Foreign Secretary Hammond Make Joint Statement Following Meeting


Sofia, January 14 (BTA) - Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov and
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, who arrived on an
official visit to Bulgaria on Wednesday at Mitov's invitation,
made a joint statement here following their meeting, the Foreign
Ministry said in a press release.

"Today we reaffirmed our commitment to deepen the cooperation
between Bulgaria and the UK and to further develop our bilateral
relations. Allies and partners in the EU and NATO, our
countries share common values and a range of common interests.
This is the backbone of our relationship in today's complex
international environment," the statement says.

Views were exchanged during the meeting on the escalation of
terrorism and the need to deepen bilateral coordination to fight
all its forms, including those coming from ISIL and other
extremist organisations that recruit foreign fighters. "We
condemn the terrorist attacks in Paris and express our full
solidarity with the French people at this time," the two top
diplomats said.

Bulgaria and the UK will continue to work together and with all
Allies to implement the Wales NATO Summit commitments, in
particular the Readiness Action Plan, in order for the Alliance
to be fully prepared and ready to tackle 21st century security
threats.

"We highlighted that as partners in the EU our countries
cooperate to achieve the highest standards in justice. The
Strategy on the Reform of the judiciary, adopted by the
Bulgarian government, is an important step to achieving an
efficient judiciary that functions in the interest of its
people," the statement reads.

Mitov and Hammond also pledge to continue their intensive
dialogue and cooperation on the security and diversification of
energy supplies in South-Eastern Europe and within the European
Union.

Among the topics discussed during the meeting were the situation
in Ukraine, the challenges and opportunities facing
South-Eastern Europe, developments in the Middle East and North
Africa, as well as the important issues facing the EU and its
Member States: the urgent need to complete Single markets in
services (including financial services), digital and energy;
applying proper measures for reducing the regulatory and
administrative burden for businesses, especially medium and
small enterprises; and increasing the level of investments, as
well assigning ambitious free trade agreements, including the
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

The top diplomats voiced hope that with the creation of the new
British-Bulgarian Business Association trade relations will
deepen trade and investment between both countries will
increase.