site.btaForeign Minister Calls against "Political Escalation" at Hearing on Vessel Detained by Sweden

Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev called against "political escalation" of the Vezhen case because this could damage Bulgaria's reputation. He was given a hearing in Parliament on Thursday on a motion by Kiril Petkov MP of Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria and a group of MPs.

The Maltese-flagged Bulgarian vessel was detained by Swedish authorities on Sunday on suspicion of sabotage following a breach of an undersea fibre-optic cable.
 
"I would like to allay everyone's concerns that Bulgaria is in no way regarded by its partners and Allies as being involved in sabotage or subversive activities - activities that we all condemn and against which we, as partners and Allies, are working together," said Georgiev.

He called on the MPs to be measured in their words. "I am certain that no one intends otherwise, but we must still take into account that in such a situation it is very important what is communicated, in what form it is communicated, and that speculation could do more harm than good," the Foreign Minister said.

On Wednesday, Georgiev stated that the Bulgarian crew had not been arrested or charged.