site.btaDeputy PM Gabriel: We Strongly Condemn Hamas's Attacks on Israel, Loss of Innocent Lives, Hostage Taking

Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel Thursday conferred with French Minister of State for Europe Laurence Boone who is paying her first visit to Bulgaria.

Emerging from the meeting, Gabriel said: "We condemn Hamas's attacks on Israel, the loss of innocent lives and the taking of hostages in the strongest terms possible. The situation is developing so rapidly that we have to follow it by the minute and respond proactively." She pointed out that Turkiye will prove an important partner in case migration increases and added that "all will be [part of] a joint and coordinated EU position".

"Bulgaria and France continue to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders for as long as it is needed," Gabriel said. "We also stressed the clear and consistent position of the Bulgarian Government in this regard," she added.

The Deputy PM appreciated the French support for Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area. In her words, a positive decision on Schengen would benefit all European citizens. "Bulgaria is part of the solution when it comes to tackling illegal migration and strengthening the EU," she said.

Bulgaria's Foreign Minister also thanked for the support Bulgaria has received for joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the eurozone. She pointed out that the EU enlargement policy was also discussed at Thursday's meeting. "We are grateful to France, which played a key role in working out the July 2022 compromise during its EU Council Presidency. This compromise enabled progress to be made in terms of the European perspective of North Macedonia. We noted that Bulgaria remains committed to a constructive and transparent approach towards North Macedonia. This country has never had set new conditions and does not intend to do so," Gabriel noted. She added that Bulgaria insists that the 2022 compromise's three components be met.

Gabriel said that the sides agreed on the need to deepen education and research cooperation.

"We agreed to update a strategic partnership agreement signed between Bulgaria and France in 2008 by a new roadmap which identifies key opportunities to strengthen cooperation in climate change, strategic autonomy, and crisis management," Gabriel pointed out.

She stressed that Bulgaria highly values its excellent bilateral relations with France, which is a strategic partner and ally of this country.