site.btaUPDATED Foreign Minister Gabriel Expresses Support for Ukraine at EU Foreign Ministers Summit

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel took part in the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, which is taking place in Kyiv, the Foreign Ministry's press service said on Monday. The Minister said: "Today, in Kyiv, we, the EU foreign ministers, express our continued support for Ukraine".

Gabriel extended gratitude to the hosts of the event: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, as well as to Josep Borrell.

This is the first meeting of all 27 Member States outside the EU. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell described the forum as historic and as an expression of solidarity with Ukraine. "Ukraine's future is in the EU," he added.

Gabriel said: "Solidarity and unity of the European family are not a given but are defended in difficult moments. By supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, Bulgaria supports the principles and values of democracy, freedom and respect".

In her speech at the forum, she emphasized the military assistance to Ukraine in line with the decisions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, Bulgaria's participation in the EU's assistance mission to Ukraine EUMAM, the G7 joint declaration in support of Ukraine and Bulgaria's signature under it. Gabriel also stressed the strategic importance of the Black Sea and maintaining security and stability in the region.

Before the start of the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister took part in the wreath-laying ceremony in front of the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine.