Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel: Bulgaria is consistent in its position to support Ukraine
21 November 2023 News
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel attended a meeting of foreign ministers in the G7+ format. The meeting, hosted by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, rotating president of the G7 in 2023, focused on support for Ukraine's energy sector. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba informed the participants that as a result of the Russian attacks irreparable damage has been done to the energy transmission system of Ukraine and the country has lost a serious part of its energy capacity. He briefed the participants on the critical areas related to the winter season where partners' assistance is needed.
‘Coordination, pre-emptive action, collective support — these messages were at the centre of the G7+ foreign ministers’ meeting today’, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel outlined.
In her statement she stated that Bulgaria is consistent in its position to support Ukraine. ‘Bulgaria joined the G7 Declaration of Support for Ukraine, which is proof of our continued long-term efforts’, Mariya Gabriel said.
She stressed that in recent months active efforts have been made to deepen energy cooperation between the two countries and recalled that during President Zelensky's visit to Bulgaria earlier this year a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine.
‘Bulgaria remains fully committed to assisting Ukraine in the energy sector, as well as in all other sectors where our assistance is needed and we can provide it. These commitments are a clear expression of our solidarity with Ukraine,’ the Deputy Prime Minister was adamant.
Mariya Gabriel also stressed the urgent need for additional humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the light of the upcoming winter season and the expected difficulties with the electricity supply to the population.
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