site.btaSofia Backs OSCE’s Continuing Commitment in Ukraine

Caretaker Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov has reaffirmed Bulgaria’s support for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to keep up its commitment in Ukraine mainly through the Extra-budgetary Support Programme for the embattled country, under which Bulgaria has been a donor since its establishment in 2022 and which enabled the OSCE to maintain its presence in Ukraine after the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion.

Kondov took part in the 31st annual OSCE Ministerial Council, organized by the OSCE 2024 Chairpersonship of Malta and held in the island country, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry reported on Thursday. For the third year in a row, the Ministerial Council meeting focused on the Russian aggression against Ukraine and its damaging effects on Europe’s security and the OSCE’s future.

Kondov stated the above-mentioned position during an informal dinner of the delegations’ leaders on Wednesday involving Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. At the dinner, the diplomats discussed possibilities for further OSCE assistance to Ukraine.

During the plenary session, Kondov reiterated Bulgaria’s consistent support for Ukraine, stressing that Russia’s aggressive actions are unacceptable as they grossly violate the Charter of the United Nations and the fundamental principles of the OSCE. He noted that the OSCE retains its importance for the European security architecture, and the organization’s participating countries are called upon to make efforts to preserve security.

He welcomed the consensus on appointing a new OSCE Secretary General, a new Head of the organization’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, a Representative on Freedom of the Media and a High Commissioner on National Minorities. Kondov expressed hope for a speedy adoption of the OSCE budget and quick decisions about which countries will hold the OSCE Chairpersonship in 2026 and 2027. He backed Cyprus for the Chairpersonship in 2027.

On the sidelines of the Ministerial Council meeting, Kondov held separate talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and with Philippe Tremblay, the interim OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, at their request. With Sa’ar, Bulgaria’s chief diplomat discussed the prospects of EU-Israel cooperation and a deepening of the dialogue between Bulgaria and Israel on multilateral and sectoral issues. Meeting with Tremblay, Kondov thanked for the financial support of his office and its constructive cooperation with Bulgaria.