site.btaFM: Bulgaria Stands by Israel and Its Right to Protect Itself from Terrorist Attacks

Bulgaria continues to stand by Israel and its right to defend itself from terrorist attacks in line with international humanitarian law, Deputy Prime Minister Mariya Gabriel told Bulgarian journalists in Brussels, where she participated in a EU Council meeting. 

“We haven’t forgotten October 7 and all the hostages who need to be freed, but together we can make sure that when it comes to innocent civilians and especially children, we can all make it a priority,” she said. "Hamas is not only a terrorist organization but also an ideology, so we should have no illusions about the means to confront such an ideology,” the Deputy Prime Minister said. 

Gabriel noted that on Monday an intensive and important meeting took place with partners from the Middle East, with whom threats in the region were discussed. She added that she expressed her gratitude to her counterpart from Egypt for the assistance provided by his country for the evacuation of Bulgarian citizens from Gaza after the Hamas attack last October. 

The Deputy Prime Minister said she was due to travel to Cairo on February 10. Egypt remains a principal economic partner and the first Arab country with which Bulgaria has established diplomatic relations, and 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of this event. The time has come to take a very strategic approach to this partnership, Gabriel said. She said the two countries can be expected to partner in the field of renewable energy and innovation. 

Of her meeting with Jordan's foreign minister, Gabriel pointed out that a two-state solution (Israel and Palestine) to the conflict in the Middle East was discussed. “We all stress that this solution can only lead to peace in this part of the world. I believe that regional partners must play a leading role,” she said. 

Of developments in the Red Sea, the Deputy Prime Minister commented that radical groups should not be allowed to increase their destabilizing actions. “I am most concerned about the Bulgarians who are on the ships returning to Bulgaria alive and well,” Gabriel said. “Before any decisions are made about any operations, the safety and lives of the people must be thought of first,” she added. In her words, when deciding to take action, life-saving activities should be the leading consideration. 

Of Ukraine, Gabriel noted that at Monday's meeting EU foreign ministers spoke more openly about how the Russian assets seized in the EU could be used for the recovery of the Ukrainian side. “We have not yet reached a consensus,” she explained. “If we are all clear that support for Ukraine is support for our own security, there should be a decision on February 1, she said, referring to an upcoming extraordinary European Council meeting.

On the eve of the expected government rotation in Bulgaria, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that these days the assessment of the ministers' work will be ready and it will be discussed with Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov. Gabriel clarified that only after that the names of ministers and possible replacements could be discussed.