EU foreign ministers discussed European security and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
21 February 2022 News
European security and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina were among the main topics at the regular meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 21 February 2022, attended by Minister Teodora Genchovska.
The agenda included a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, a discussion on the situation in Mali and climate diplomacy. The European foreign ministers took part in a meeting of the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council with the participation of the six Arab member states.
"There are no signs of tension de-escalation. Aggressive actions and rhetoric continue, with yesterday's announcement by Belarus particularly worrying and increasing tensions. Support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity is unconditional. The main goal of the EU in this sense should be the sustainability of Ukraine, but also of our other partners in the region, "said Minister Teodora Genchovska.
The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina was another major topic on the ministers' agenda. "Bulgaria supports a stronger European commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are very concerned about the situation in the country and the attempts of one of the members of the collective presidency Miroslav Dodik to block the work of state institutions, "said the Bulgarian Foreign Minister.
Minister Teodora Genchovska participated together with her colleagues in a meeting of the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council. The exchange with the Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf was in the context of the ambitious Joint Communication on the future of the EU's relations with the Gulf states. A joint statement outlining the areas of cooperation between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council was adopted.
Within the framework of the Foreign Affairs Council, Minister Teodora Genchovska also held a series of bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Croatia, Romania, Estonia, Sweden and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borel.
The Bulgarian Foreign Minister also spoke with Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Warhey. The two interlocutors discussed the new dynamics in the relations between Bulgaria and the Republic of Northern Macedonia. Minister Genchovska pointed out that for Bulgaria the achievement of concrete results by Skopje is of paramount importance, as part of the accession process of the Republic of Northern Macedonia, in the implementation of the bilateral agreement between Bulgaria and the Republic of Northern Macedonia signed 2017, based on the package " 1 + 4 “.
The Council adopted conclusions on climate diplomacy, reaffirming the EU's leading global role in the issue and seeking to engage partners more closely to address this challenge. Ministers highlighted the key importance of co-operation on the issue within the UN, as well as with the United States. The need for enhanced support for the EU's immediate neighborhood countries in their green transition efforts was noted.