Kristian Vigenin participated in the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Lithuania
09 September 2013 News
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristian Vigenin participated in the informal meeting of EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which was held on 6-7 September in Vilnius.
In the first working session, Ministers discussed the preparation of the European Council meeting on defense scheduled to take place in December. They focused on issues related to the current political and security situation in the southern neighborhood of the European Union (EU), focusing on Syria and the preparation of the Eastern Partnership Summit in November.
The interim report of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, was analyzed on the first day of the informal meeting. Ministers of Foreign Affairs have identified areas for deepening and following-up of the report before its submission to the European Council.
Minister Kristian Vigenin gave a positive evaluation of the European External Action Service report and presented Bulgarian priority areas - pragmatic approach based on the political will, support for the strategic roadmap for defense, and renewal of the Bulgarian idea for making an EU White Paper on Defense, to be approved by the state and government officials in December this year.
According to the Bulgarian position, it is necessary to develop a comprehensive EU approach with a focus on the Western Balkans. Minister Vigenin stressed on the need of a more effective coordination of national defense planning processes of the EU Member States. According to him, it is essential to support all aspects of the European defense integration - an increase in the share of co-financing for key defense capabilities and rapid response capabilities, conditions for use of structural funds for the development of capabilities and dual-use technologies, and further developing the elements of an integrated approach to security and border management.
In terms of the dynamic international environment and the development of the crisis in Syria, diplomats confirmed the common elements in the EU's position, valid also for Bulgaria. They strongly condemned the use of chemical weapons, emphasizing that the perpetrators should be held responsible for the attack. Ministers shared the view that there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict, and the only possible solution is political as European Union is consistent in its support for the diplomatic process to transition. During the discussions it became clear that the European Union remains committed to its obligations as the most significant donor in terms of humanitarian assistance in the Syrian conflict and is ready to contribute to the reconstruction and the political transition in Syria, in the interest of the Syrian people.
The top diplomats discussed the Eastern Partnership, in particular the progress of the preparation of the Summit as a priority of the Lithuanian presidency of the EU. They thoroughly analyzed the regional context and the challenges faced by the EaP partners.
The foreign ministers agreed that they should not allow any compromises with the commitment and depth of external trade arrangements agreed with the European Union because it would lead to erosion of the process to date. The meeting confirmed the commitment of the European Commission by the end of its mandate to create all the conditions for the signing and finalization of the Association Agreements with the Eastern Partnership countries.
Minister Vigenin expressed support and willingness for joint efforts towards an effective Summit and he stressed on his belief in the vitality of the Eastern Partnership as a way of promoting European choice and perspective of the partner countries.
EU foreign ministers also discussed the challenges in the region and other countries of the Southern Neighborhood, including Egypt, Iraq, Libya, and the development of the Middle East peace process.
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