Deputy Minister Velislava Petrova participates in the EU General Affairs Council meeting
06 February 2023 News
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Velislava Petrova participated in today’s regular meeting of the General Affairs Council in Brussels. The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU presented its priorities for the next 6 months.
The Council discussed preparations for the forthcoming extraordinary European Council meeting on 9-10 February this year. Among the main highlights of the document are the fight against illegal migration, the economic situation in the EU and Russia's war against Ukraine.
In the “Migration” part, the main messages focus on interaction with third countries of origin and transit, border control, effective return policy and the fight against trafficking in human beings. The EU is to optimise its cooperation with countries of origin and transit, which includes the adoption of action plans with countries along the main migration routes. Bulgaria, together with other member states, has pushed for a financial commitment from the EU for the construction of facilities at the Union’s external borders. “As a frontline state, we would like to see concrete short and long-term measures to finance the protection of external borders,” Deputy Minister Petrova stressed in her statement on the issue. She drew attention to the need for a balance between solidarity and responsibility, and while providing for obligations in the line of registration at external borders, there should also be obligations in the line of solidarity between Member States.
Under the “Economy” part, the Council discussed the Commission’s “Blueprint for a Green Industry in a Zero Net Emissions Era”, presented on 1 February this year. The communication aims to provide a general orientation to boost European industrial investment in clean technologies. The plan outlines four main points: a predictable and simplified regulatory environment, rapid access to finance, strengthening professional skills and sustainable supply chains and trade. Deputy Minister Petrova stressed that it is important for Bulgaria to have predictable, operational and targeted state aid rules that increase the Union’s competitiveness but do not lead to competition between Member States. Another focus for Bulgaria is not to divert funds from EU cohesion policy.
The ministers reaffirmed their strong support for Ukraine in the context of the upcoming sad first anniversary of the beginning of the Russian aggression in the country. The Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister welcomed the EU-Ukraine Summit held on 3 February, which sent important messages of support to the Ukrainian people and state.
Deputy Minister Velislava Petrova pointed out that during the upcoming European Council President Radev will acquaint his colleagues with the cases of human rights violations in the Republic of North Macedonia. She expressed regret that despite the agreements reached between the EU and North Macedonia, there is still a clear hate speech against Bulgaria in North Macedonia, which is in violation of the EU’s fundamental values and the conditions for membership.
The ministers expressed their sympathy with Türkiye over the devastating earthquake in Türkiye’s Kahramanmaraş county earlier in the day. Deputy Minister Petrova noted that Bulgaria had organised the necessary support very quickly and was among the first countries to provide assistance, which was already on its way at the time of the Council meeting.
During her visit to Brussels, Deputy Minister Velislava Petrova also held talks with the Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Roswell. “Bulgaria supports the priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU and is ready to work for their achievement,” the Bulgarian deputy foreign minister said. She briefed her Swedish counterpart on our country’s readiness for Schengen membership and the progress made towards joining the Eurozone.
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