site.btaForeign Minister Mitov Participates in 34th Meeting of BSEC Council of Foreign Ministers, Talks with Russian, Turkish, Moldovan Counterparts

Foreign Minister Mitov Participates in 34th Meeting of BSEC Council of Foreign Ministers, Talks with Russian, Turkish, Moldovan Counterparts

Sochi, July 2 (BTA) - Addressing the 34th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in Sochi Saturday, Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov said: "Bulgaria has always been a leading factor in strengthening cooperation in the Black Sea region. We will always support projects and ideas designed to achieve useful and effective results for the region."

The Foreign Ministry also quoted Mitov as saying that the BSEC should stick to its role as a regional platform for economic dialogue among the Member States and should strengthen its capacity for implementing major joint projects. Stability and security in the Black Sea region can be boosted by effectively using BSEC's economic instruments and attracting more international investors.

During the meeting Mitov held bilateral meetings with his Russian, Turkish and Moldovan counterparts.

Mitov and Russia's chief diplomat Sergey Lavrov discussed a wide range of aspects of bilateral relations, energy matters and topics on the international agenda.

Mitov said: "Our bilateral relations should develop on the basis of equality and our shared interests, regardless of the differences in certain areas."

Regarding energy matters, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction with the current security of Russian natural gas supplies to Bulgaria and gas transit to Turkey, Greece and Macedonia. He said he expected regular supplies to Bulgaria and the Balkans to continue. "Our national efforts are focused on making Bulgaria a regional gas hub. In this context, we consider Russian supplies as a potential source for feeding gas to the hub. The Bulgarian government has an interest in having the differences sorted out and, in the final analysis, whatever is done in the future between Russia and the EU in the energy sector, it must strictly abide by EU law and rules."

NATO-Russia relations were also on the agenda. Mitov commented: "NATO exercises in the Black Sea benefit Bulgaria's defence and strengthen its capacity."

He also stated that Bulgaria sets a priority on cooperation in tourism. "Russia is one of my country's main tourism markets. After a considerable drop for two years in a row, we are glad to see the number of Russian holidaymakers rise in 2016," said Mitov.

He also met with Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. The two chief diplomats focused on EU-Turkey relations and the readmission agreement. Mitov noted that the European Commission had been negotiating with the Turkish government and that Bulgaria expected the agreement to start being implemented as soon as possible. Mitov and Cavusoglu concurred that until Turkey starts implementing its agreement with the EU, the good, fruitful cooperation between Sofia and Ankara would continue, including the protection of their common border.

Mitov and Moldovan Foreign Minister Andrei Galbur discussed the reforms implemented by the Moldovan government as part of its EU integration aspirations, and the development of bilateral relations.

Mitov raised the matter of guaranteeing the cultural and educational rights of the Bulgarian national minority in Moldova, as well as of the opening of a Bulgarian consulate general in Taraclia, the capital of a district of the same name populated mainly by members of the Bulgarian minority.

Mitov also talked about turning Taraclia University, established with Bulgaria's financial support, into a branch of the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia. "A decision to this effect would make the university more attractive, given that diplomas earned there are recognized in the EU," he said. Mitov also raised the issue of Taraclia district retaining its administrative independence.