site.btaUPDATED Foreign Minister Gabriel Takes Part in Regular Meeting of EU's Foreign Affairs Council

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel took part in a regular meeting of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday. The discussion focused on the situation in Israel and the neighbouring and other countries in the region, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

In her speech, Gabriel said that Bulgaria condemns as firmly as possible Hamas' terrorist attacks on Israel that caused huge losses of life and many injured on both sides. "We are in solidarity with Israel, including regarding the hostages taken by Hamas," the Bulgarian Foreign Minister noted. She expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and called for coordinated efforts in support of the civilians on both sides.

Gabriel underscored the need of efforts to avoid regional escalation. "Coordination and anticipatory actions: that is what we need as the EU. A humanitarian corridor, constant contact with the neighbouring countries and those in the region, and vigilance regarding disinformation are important actions to avoid the conflict's escalation," the Bulgarian Foreign Minister noted.

In a post on X after the meeting, Gabriel wrote: "We have to work together to avoid regional escalation,  address the humanitarian situation, and anticipate and coordinate."

It also transpired in Gabriel’s X posts that she had meetings with Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov of Uzbekistan and Krisjanis Karins of Latvia. She discussed with Saidov upgrading bilateral cooperation, launching political consultations for the preparation of the next session of the intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation, and organizing a joint business forum for innovators and entrepreneurs. Gabriel and Karins had an exchange on opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation.