site.bta In New York, Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Participates in Summit of the Future, Holds Bilateral Meetings

Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov is paying a visit to New York on September 22-27, his Ministry said on Sunday. He is on a delegation to the opening of the general debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

The theme for the general debate of the 79th session is "Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations".

On Day 1 of his visit, Kondov participated in the opening of the Summit of the Future: Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow. The Bulgarian delegation to the Summit is led by Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev.

Bulgaria's chief diplomat held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Moldova, Iran and Albania.

Meeting with Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi, Kondov said: "The large Bulgarian community in Moldova is a key building block of our bilateral relations and a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the two countries." Kondov noted that the excellent relations between Bulgaria and Moldova are also based on the common European values, and stressed that Moldova's path towards European integration, which Bulgaria consistently supports, creates an additional favourable context for the further dynamic broadening of those relations, the Foreign Ministry said.

Kondov's meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi followed up on a telephone conversation between them on September 1, when the Bulgarian Foreign Minister congratulated his counterpart on his recent appointment. In New York, the two chief diplomats again discussed opportunities for dialogue and interaction on issues of mutual interest - both bilaterally and on the current international agenda. They concurred that the long tradition of Bulgarian-Iranian relations forms a solid basis for a constructive future cooperation. Kondov familiarized Abbas Araghchi with the efforts of the Bulgarian Government to successfully resolve the case of the Galaxy Leader crew detained in Yemen, and expressed a hope that in the spirit of the traditionally good bilateral relations, Iran could provide valuable assistance in resolving this humanitarian case. The foreign ministers discussed the Gaza conflict and its grave humanitarian dimensions, as well as ways to support the efforts of the international community aimed at preventing a possible further regional escalation.

Ivan Kondov also met with Igli Hasani, Albania's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. They discussed the dynamics of bilateral relations and expressed readiness to step up cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. Kondov affirmed Bulgaria's support for Albania's EU accession process and welcomed the country's efforts to strengthen regional cooperation. In this context, the two ministers reaffirmed that the accelerated construction of Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII is a common strategic objective for Sofia and Tirana.

Special emphasis was placed on the role of the Bulgarian national minority in Albania as an important bridge of friendship and a factor of strengthening the mutual trust between the two countries. Kondov expressed Bulgaria's satisfaction with the organization and conduct of the census in Albania and the opportunity afforded to the representatives of the Bulgarian community to freely declare their identity.

The two diplomats also discussed issues of current relevance on the regional and European agenda. Cooperation in the UN Human Rights Council, in which Bulgaria and Albania will work together until 2026, was identified as a common priority.