site.btaForeign Minister Gabriel in Brussels: Sustainable Peace Solutions Require Joint Efforts between Partners

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel took part in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday. The focus of the discussion was Russian aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, the press centre of the line ministry said.

Gabriel stressed  Bulgaria's continued support for Ukraine and congratulated the country on the European Union's historic decision to start membership negotiations.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that the meeting is a message of united efforts and solidarity with Ukraine. The EU's comprehensive support for Ukraine must continue as long as necessary, she stressed, noting that  Bulgaria supports President Zelenskyy's Peace Formula and will seek to contribute to other countries from the world joining in.

She noted the role of Bulgaria as a factor of stability in the Black Sea region and informed about the joint initiative of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkiye to eliminate the danger of drifting mines in the territorial waters of the three countries and their exclusive economic zones.

A main focus of the meeting was also the situation in the Middle East. The discussions included Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt Sameh Shoukry, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Ayman Al Safadi,  Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Palestinian National Authority Riyad Al Maliki and the Secretary General of the Arab League States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

Gabriel said that Monday's discussion is important because it aims, together with our partners from the region, to find a sustainable solution to the situation in the Middle East. She noed that concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the risk of regional spread of the conflict. Access to humanitarian aid and the protection of all civilians, especially children, should be a priority, stressed Gabriel.

The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that Bulgaria supports a solution based on the two-state principle. It is important to have an agreement that guarantees the security of both countries. Bulgaria will support efforts that aim to provide a horizon for a political perspective to find such a solution, she added.