Bulgaria aims to deepen cooperation in all EU initiatives to support countries in transition from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership
14 June 2021 News
Deputy Foreign Minister Zaritsa Dinkova reaffirmed Bulgaria's support for the development of middle-income and transition countries in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership during an informal videoconference meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council with the participation of EU ministers in charge of development cooperation.
"Bulgaria has always supported the development of middle-income countries and countries in transition from the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership. The fight against COVID-19 is included in the traditional priorities of our development assistance,“ said Deputy Minister Dinkova in her speech. She also pointed out that our country is very active in the field of good governance and reforms, quality health care, education and empowerment of young people, as well as inclusive and sustainable regional development. "One of the latest priorities - included in our new Strategy for Cooperation for Development and Humanitarian Aid - is to support action in the field of climate and green economy and we look forward to implementing our first initiatives on these topics," Zaritsa Dinkova said at the forum.
According to her, Bulgaria is pleased to note that the set priorities largely coincide with those of the already announced initiatives of Team Europe. The aim of our country is to pay more attention to education and socio-economic integration of vulnerable and most marginalized communities.
At the forum, Deputy Minister Dinkova stressed that Bulgaria is already exploring the possibility of providing vaccines against COVID-19 to countries in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership, once it has provided for its national needs. The meeting was chaired by Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.