site.btaBulgarian Foreign Minister Confers with Polish, Macedonian Counterparts

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Confers with Polish, Macedonian Counterparts

New York/Sofia, September 29 (BTA) - Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov conferred Monday with his Polish and Macedonian counterparts. The talks were held within the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Mitov's Ministry said in a press release.

Mitov and his Polish counterpart Grzegorz Schetyna discussed the migration crisis and the need to look for alternative solution to cope with the problem. Mitov noted that work should focus in the direction of sourcing funding for opening migration centres outside the EU, saying that countries such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan need the greatest assistance. The two officials also discussed the question of repair works of the Bulgarian MiG-29 jet fighters.

Mitov also conferred with his Macedonian counterpart Nikola Poposki. The two discussed the migration crisis, the bilateral relations, and projects of mutual interest.

Mitov noted Bulgaria's priorities in the area of infrastructure, transport and energy projects. The two foreign ministers noted the need to deepen the cross-border cooperation and the construction of Corridor VIII with EU funding.

The two also discussed the agreement on good neighbourliness, cooperation and friendship whose signing is in the interest of both countries. Mitov and Poposki confirmed the plans to continue the expert negotiations on the document. It emerged at the talks that the next meeting of the working groups of the two countries' foreign ministries for the agreement will be held soon, in Sofia.

The participants in the talks also discussed the possibility of organizing a bilateral business forum.

The two ministers discussed the current situation with migrants, noting the need of international interaction to cope with the crisis. Mitov spoke about the idea to have security zones for refugees in Syria, which requires international consensus. Poposki voiced strong concern about the migration wave in the region and the large flow of refugees passing via his country. The two ministers also discussed the problem with human trafficking and agreed on the need to increase the criminal liability for the offence.