site.btaEU Foreign Ministers Convene in Brussels

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Elena Shekerletova participated in the regular monthly meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which took place on Monday in Brussels, the Ministry's press office said. The EU foreign ministers discussed the issue of Russian military aggression against Ukraine, the situation in Georgia, the EU-US relations, the situation in the Middle East and around the Horn of Africa.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha participated in the meeting online and briefed his European counterparts on the current situation in his country. "November 19 this year marks 1,000 days since the beginning of the unprovoked Russian military aggression against the Ukrainian people", Shekerletova said, adding that Bulgaria firmly supports the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. She noted the need for continued assistance to the country in all aspects. The Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister also expressed her concern over the involvement of third parties in the conflict, such as military units from North Korea. She added that close coordination within NATO and between the EU and the US in support of Ukraine is crucial.

The Council also discussed the political situation in Georgia amid the parliamentary elections held there on October 26, which, according to the EU, took place amid reports of serious violations. "Bulgaria continues to be a strong supporter of the European aspirations of the Georgian people", Shekerletova stated, noting Bulgaria's concern about the situation in Georgia and urging the Georgian authorities to adhere to the stated European and democratic values and principles.

The foreign ministers also discussed the current situation in the Middle East region, in particular the situation in Gaza and Lebanon. High Representative Josep Borrell proposed to suspend the EU-Israel political dialogue. In the discussion that followed, the Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister stressed the need to de-escalate the conflict, renew diplomatic efforts and prevent the escalation of hostilities in the region. "Bulgaria supports the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2735 for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and the cessation of hostilities," Shekerletova said.

The Council discussed the prospects for the development of EU-US relations in light of the presidential elections in the USA. Shekerletova stressed that the US is a key ally and strategic partner of Bulgaria and the EU. "We will continue to maintain an active political dialogue at the highest level with the US under the new US administration," the Deputy Minister said. "We aim to maintain the upward trend in our strategic partnership with the US and to make progress and achieve concrete results in areas of cooperation important to us, such as security and defence, energy security and diversification, bilateral trade and investment, innovation, countering hybrid threats and disinformation, as well as the development of people-to-people contacts", she added.

The foreign ministers also met with Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi, with whom they discussed the country's European integration.