site.btaDeputy PM Zafirov Takes Part in Meeting of Heads of State, PMs, Deputy PMs of Party of European Socialists

Deputy Prime Minister and Chair of the National Council of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, Atanas Zafirov, arrived in Brussels on Thursday to take part in a preparatory meeting of heads of state, prime ministers and deputy prime ministers of the Party of European Socialists (PES). His visit takes place in the context of the upcoming extraordinary European Council.

Zafirov held a number of meetings with European leaders, including European Council President Antonio Costa, Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Lithuania Gintautas Paluckas, Leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament Iratxe Garcia Perez, Vice-Chancellor of Austria Andreas Babler.

Zafirov presented Bulgaria's position on a number of issues related to the future of European defence and the conflict in Ukraine. He stated that Bulgaria's position is based on the need for a diplomatic solution and avoiding Bulgaria's direct involvement in the military conflict. He stressed that Bulgaria should be a mediator in the dialogue between the East and the West, and should focus on the development of the EU's strategic autonomy in the field of defence.

Zafirov also met with the European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius.