site.btaParliament Chair Leads Bulgarian Delegation on Official Visit to Ukraine

A Bulgarian delegation, led by the National Assembly Chair Rosen Zhelyazkov, is on an official visit to Ukraine. The delegation includes Daniel Mitov, head the delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Stanislav Anastasov, head of the Permanent Delegation of the National Assembly to the OSCE PA, Chair of the Friendship group Bulgaria – Ukraine Ivaylo Mirchev, said the press centre of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The EU's long-term commitment to Ukraine is the best guarantee for the country's free and secure future, said Zhelyazkov at his meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Bulgaria welcomes the European Council's decision to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU, Zhelyazkov stressed. Bulgaria supports European integration and the Euro-Atlantic perspective of Ukraine, ae added, pointing out that Bulgaria takes into account the significant progress that Ukraine has made following the steps indicated in the opinion of the European Commission of June 2022.

He expressed the willingness of the Bulgarian Parliament to share its experience and provide expertise for the implementation of the recommendations of the European Commission and for bringing the Ukrainian legislation into line with that of the EU countries.

Ukrainian Parliament Chair Ruslan Stefanchuk thanked the Bulgarian National Assembly and the Bulgarian people for the enormous support they provide to Ukraine, especially for military and taking in Ukrainian refugees.

Zhelyazkov noted that a few days ago the leaders of the 27 EU member states unanimously approved the provision of an additional EUR 50 billion in aid to Ukraine from the European budget, and that this is an expression of the solidarity and support of the European countries, of their commitment in the process of rebuilding Ukraine.

The Bulgarian National Assembly Chair expressed Bulgaria's deep concern after the unprecedented military actions of the Russian Federation in the Black Sea region. Zhelyazkov noted that to counter the threat of drifting mines in the Black Sea, a Trilateral Memorandum was signed between Bulgaria, Romania and Turkiye on January 11, 2024 in Istanbul to establish a joint mission to counter mines (MCM Black Sea) and expressed hope that this mission will contribute to the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.

“We will continue to support Ukraine, we must not allow Putin's regime to tear away even a small piece of land from your country,” said Daniel Mitov, adding that if this happens, it would mean opening the door for others to change the modern world by force.

“The pro-Western majority in the Bulgarian parliament will continue to support Ukraine with all the possibilities at our disposal,” Ivaylo Mirchev assured the Ukrainian parliamentarians.

Stanislav Anastasov expressed gratitude for the cooperation in the field of energy and disinformation. He used the opportunity once again to express his confidence that the Euro-Atlantic majority in the Bulgarian Parliament will continue to support Ukraine and assist in its post-war recovery.