Minister Ivan Kondov participated in the EU-India-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Stockholm
14 May 2023 News
On 13 May 2023, The Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivan Kondov participated in the Second EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, which took place in Stockholm in the framework of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Forum brought together some 60 Foreign Ministers from the two regions to discuss global challenges and opportunities for developing cooperation.
EU and Indo-Pacific region ministers discussed the potential for cooperation in areas such as security, trade and investment, connectivity, the transition to a green economy, energy and others. The EU's long-term commitment to the Indo-Pacific region was reaffirmed, as was the readiness to strengthen dialogue and practical cooperation, in the light of the region's growing importance in the global economy and politics, and the interconnectedness between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region, not only in terms of economic development, but also security, peace, climate change.
During the forum, Minister Kondov participated in a roundtable discussion on ‘Joint Response to the Changing Security Environment in the Indo-Pacific Region’, and in his speech he focused on the importance of cooperation with Indo-Pacific region in various dimensions of security — including cybersecurity, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, food and energy security, supply chain security. He stressed the need for continued support to Ukraine in the context of ongoing Russian aggression. Prior to the forum, an informal lunch was held for participants with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba.
During the forum, Minister Kondov held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The sides discussed opportunities for strengthening political contacts and cooperation in the fields of economy, defence, science and technology, as well as interaction in international organisations. Minister Kondov extended an invitation to the Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs to visit Bulgaria. He also urged India to use its influence, including as chair of the G20 in 2023, to send the necessary messages to Russia on the need to end the war in Ukraine.
A meeting was also held with Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, during which the two countries reaffirmed their readiness to strengthen political and sectoral dialogue, with a focus on economic ties, as well as mutual support for candidatures to international organisations. Both ministers agreed on the need for continued support for Ukraine, as well as joint efforts to protect the foundations of the rules of international order. On the Bulgarian side, the important role of Indonesia as G20 Chair in 2022 and current ASEAN Chair was highlighted.
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