site.btaUPDATED Minister Kondov Takes Part in Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in New York

Bulgarian caretaker Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov took part in a traditional meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers at the EU Delegation to the United Nations in New York on September 23, his ministry said in a press release on Tuesday. The meeting discussed topical issues one day before the opening of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The ministers debated the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the tension in the Middle East, and conferred with Ukraine’s new Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Addressing the event, Kondov said that the protection of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within the country’s internationally recognized borders is crucial and that lasting peace for Ukraine can only be based on the UN Charter and the principles of international law. This is important for Ukraine, the Black Sea region and Europe as a whole, Kondov added.

Kondov voiced his belief that sanctions are a powerful tool to increase pressure on Russia in response to its illegal and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine. They have already had a tangible impact on the Russian economy and their impact on Russia's financial, industrial and technological base is expected to increase further over time, he said. Bulgaria's Foreign Minister called for further consolidation of European efforts to increase the effectiveness of the sanctions against Russia by prioritizing their active scope and preventing opportunities to circumvent them.

Earlier on Monday, Kondov participated in a G7+ foreign ministers’ meeting in New York focused on support for Ukraine’s energy sector.

Also on Monday, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister held a couple of bilateral meetings. Following their telephone conversation of September 2, in New York Kondov conferred with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi.

Kondov assured his Omani counterpart that Bulgaria sees this meeting as an opportunity to outline a strategic roadmap for further development of the political dialogue between the two countries. The Bulgarian Foreign Minister renewed the invitation extended to his Omani counterpart to visit Bulgaria, which would give additional impetus to the development of bilateral relations and will help both countries to maintain their political dialogue at a high level, outlining new prospects for deepening sectoral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Kondov also discussed with his Omani counterpart the efforts of the Bulgarian Government to successfully resolve the case of the Galaxy Leader crew detained in Yemen and reiterated his gratitude to Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi for his country’s support.

Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi reiterated Oman's appreciation for the consistent steps to intensify bilateral dialogue. He reiterated Oman's readiness for further close cooperation with Bulgaria in all areas of mutual interest.

As an expression of the desire of the two countries to deepen bilateral cooperation, Kondov and Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi signed an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Sultanate of Oman on mutual exemption from the visa requirements for short-stay diplomatic, special and service passport holders, and a Memorandum of Understanding on holding bilateral consultations between the two foreign ministries. An agreement in principle was also reached to take the necessary follow-up steps for the opening of a diplomatic mission of the Republic of Bulgaria in Muscat.

On Monday, Kondov also conferred with Ervin Ibrahimovic, Vice President of the Parliament and Foreign Minister of Montenegro. The two sides discussed the opportunities for deepening the existing excellent relations and broad dialogue based on friendship and mutual respect as NATO allies and partners. Minister Kondov assured his counterpart that Bulgaria would continue to strongly support Montenegro's EU membership perspective.