site.btaForeign Minister Mitov: NATO Enlargement Has Undoubted Contribution in Euro-Atlantic Security, Stability

Foreign Minister Mitov: NATO Enlargement Has Undoubted
Contribution in Euro-Atlantic
Security, Stability

Newport, Wales/Sofia, September 5 (BTA) - NATO's enlargement has
 an undoubted contribution to the security and stability of the
Euro-Atlantic community, particularly in light of the Russian
aggressive acts in Ukraine, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel
Mitov said in Newport late on Thursday evening, quoted by his
Ministry. The clear prospect for membership in NATO has the role
 of a stabilizing factor and the Balkan region is one of the
indicative examples in this respect, Mitov said. He spoke during
 a foreign ministerial meeting of the North-Atlantic Council of
NATO member states and candidate members: Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Georgia.

Mitov noted the considerable progress towards Euro-Atlantic
integration of Montenegro since NATO's Chicago Summit in 2012,
and the advance of the reforms in the security sector. The
Bulgarian Foreign Minister voiced assurance that Montenegro will
 show the same determination in overcoming the remaining
obstacles to NATO membership. He said that by contributing to
NATO-led operations and joining NATO's position on the Ukraine
crisis, Montenegro has shown it is a reliable partner.

In respect of Georgia, Mitov confirmed Bulgaria's support for
the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its
internationally recognized borders. "We value highly Georgia's
firm determination to meet all criteria for joining NATO, and
the commitment towards the Euro-Atlantic security the country
has shown on many occasions," Mitov said.

The Bulgarian Foreign Minister called on the governments of
Macedonia and of Bosnia and Herzegovina to redouble their
efforts for solving the open issues so that the two countries
can continue along the path of integration in NATO. Among the
important issues for Macedonia he singled out the question about
 its name and also the maintaining of good neighbourly
relations. "Progress in this area will show Macedonia's
commitment towards our common values, principles and standards,"
 Mitov said. SN /ZH/


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