site.btaFederica Mogherini: EU and Member States Speak with One Voice in Foreign and Security Policy

Sofia, February 15 (BTA) - Before the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers (Gymnich) in Sofia, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, told reporters that in these years, if there is one field where the EU and its Member States are speaking with one voice and acting together, is foreign and security policy.

Talking about the ongoing proliferation of conflicts, Mogherini said that if the EU was not there with its humanitarian, development, political, diplomatic and security work, the situation in many parts of the world would be much worse. She expressed satisfaction with the level of unity that Member States are showing in the field of foreign and security policy.

Commenting on the agenda of the informal meeting, Mogherini said the Western Balkans were the number one item. The foreign ministers will hold their first discussion on the EU Strategy for the Western Balkans, presented last week at the European Parliament. "We will see how to work to strengthen the EU perspective of the region," she said.

Syria, where the humanitarian situation remains dramatic, is also on the agenda as the second Brussels conference on the future of Syria and the region is under preparation. The EU aims to mobilize support for the Syrians both inside the country and in the neighbouring countries, said Mogherini.

Regarding the DPRK, which is also on the agenda of the meeting, Mogherini said there had been some encouraging steps during the Olympic Games. "We will have a discussion about how to increase the level of work of the EU to help finding a solution for the demilitarization of the Korean Peninsula," she said.

Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva told reporters that democratic, prosperous and secure Western Balkans are of exceptional importance to the EU. Their integration is one of the main priorities of Bulgaria's EU Council Presidency. "We are a neighbour to those countries and we believe that we will be together in the EU in the future when they are ready," she said. Zaharieva called the European Commission's Strategy for the Western Balkans "timely, comprehensive and unbiased, without making compromises".

Asked about Macedonia's name dispute, the Bulgarian chief diplomat said it was a bilateral issue between Athens and Skopje, whose solution is very important for the entire European Union.