site.btaBulgarian President, Foreign Minister Welcome Ceasefire Agreement Reached in Minsk

Bulgarian President, Foreign Minister Welcome Ceasefire Agreement Reached  in Minsk

Sofia, February 12 (BTA) - President Rosen Plevneliev and
Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov Thursday welcomed the ceasefire
agreement reached by the leaders of Germany, France, Ukraine and
the Russian Federation at their meeting in Minsk.

The participants' firm commitment to respect the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Ukraine is of key importance to the
future of the country, Plevneliev said, quoted by his press
secretariat. The agreement on the withdrawal of heavy weapons
and all foreign militias from Ukrainian territory, and the
disarmament of all illegal groups is an important step towards
the de-escalation of tension and the political solution of the
conflict in Eastern Ukraine, the press release reads.

Since the very start of the Ukraine crisis, Bulgaria has
supported the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of
Ukraine. There is no alternative to the conflict's peaceful
resolution.

The head of State voices hope that a working mechanism will be
created for the strict observation of the commitments made.

"I welcome the agreement between the leaders in Minsk. The first
and most important step towards stopping the bloodshed has been
made," Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov said in a
statement circulated by his ministry's press office.

The Minister voiced hope that the agreement will be respected by
all countries, and this will lead to a lasting peace in
Ukraine. "This is important for all its citizens, including our
compatriots, who have the right to live in a free and safe
country," Mitov added.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Party of the European
Socialists Leader Sergei Stanishev, who met in Brussels, voiced
hope for a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

As the world news agencies reported, German Chancellor Angela
Merkel and the presidents of France, Francois Hollande, of
Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, and of Russia, Vladimir Putin, signed
a joint declaration in support of the agreement, reached by a
"contact group" of Russia, Ukraine and the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe affirming commitment to a
ceasefire plan drawn up in Minsk last September and also signed
by separatist leaders.