site.btaDeputy PM Gabriel: I Deem It Important that Bulgaria Continues to Be Well Received Everywhere

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel, who is taking part in an informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers in Brussels on Saturday, said that she deems it important that Bulgaria continues to be well received everywhere. Her statement came in response to a question related to the upcoming government rotation. “There should be a clear mechanism regarding the [cabinet member] nominations. The nominees should have impeccable expertise and moral qualities. This process should be accelerated,” Gabriel commented on the expected cabinet reshuffling.

“We have an agreement that clearly states who will be what following the rotation. The Foreign Ministry will be evaluated. I want to see objectivity and recognition of the facts,” she said. Gabriel expressed her expectation that efforts to modernize the diplomatic service would be taken into account. “I want to see that this will carry on. It has to do with the motivation of the people in the Ministry and defending Bulgaria's foreign policy priorities,” she added.

Commenting on the upcoming visit of government representatives to the US, Gabriel said that the focus should be on the outcome and expressed her support for anyone who would build on the results achieved so far.

As to the topics of Saturday’s meeting in Brussels, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that Bulgaria firmly supports Ukraine, adding that this country would support the joint procurement of ammunition.

In her words, Bulgaria shares the view that it is time more efforts were put into setting a positive agenda between the EU and Turkiye.

On the situation in the Middle East with Israel and Gaza, Gabriel said that Bulgaria supports a two-state solution. “We are concerned about what is happening with the UN Refugee Agency, and we expect an investigation to be conducted and accountability to be held as soon as possible,” she added.

“Africa is a strategic partner for Bulgaria. We must have a dialogue with the countries on the continent. I support the idea of giving greater visibility to European projects there,” Gabriel said, adding that extra efforts are needed in this regard.