site.btaBulgaria's Foreign Minister Discusses Middle East's Current Affairs with Israeli Counterpart

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev met with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar in Munich, Germany on Sunday, the Ministry's press centre said. The two discussed the latest developments in the Middle East Region, including the practical implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of all hostages. The meeting took place in the framework of the Munich Security Conference.

Georgiev expressed hope that all phases of the agreement concluded on January 19 would be successfully passed, and that this would lead both to gradual release of all hostages and to a ceasefire that would create the necessary preconditions for seeking a lasting and sustainable solution to this conflict and establishing peace and stability in the region.

Georgiev reiterated to his Israeli counterpart that Bulgaria would continue to work in coordination with international partners and Israel for the release of all hostages held in Gaza. Bulgaria's unwavering solidarity with Israel's right to live in peace and guarantee the security of its citizens was reaffirmed.

The Foreign Ministers discussed bilateral relations and expressed the common view that the two countries maintain excellent relations of a strategic nature, based on the exceptional bond that links the Bulgarian and Jewish peoples. Israel is a key and very important partner for Bulgaria in the Middle East, the Foreign Ministry added.

The two officials also confirmed their mutual desire to further deepen the partnership in a number of areas of common interest. Bulgaria reaffirmed its support for the successful and meaningful holding of an EU-Israel Association Council soon, which would open up new opportunities for expanding EU cooperation with Israel.

On Saturday, Georgiev and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan discussed policies in the field of security and defence, the fight against illegal migration and the common actions in the field of border control.