Kristian Vigenin discussed the refugee wave to Bulgaria with his EU counterparts
25 September 2013 News
The topic of the increased refugee flow to Bulgaria as a result of the Syrian crisis was discussed by Kristian Vigenin and the EU Foreign Ministers, participating in the 68th session of the UN in New York. Minister Vigenin briefed his counterparts on the measures taken by the government to address the issue of the growing number of refugees crossing the Bulgarian border illegally. According to him, the country has not encountered such problem before and thus, there is need of expertise and financial support from European partners to solve it. Ministers also discussed the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in November in Vilnius, as well as the announced intention of Iran’s President Hassan Rohani for openness and dialogue. The opinion of Minister Vigenin that such intention needs to be implemented by taking actual steps was shared by his counterparts.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister held a meeting with Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Kristian Vigenin informed of the progress achieved and the actual steps taken by Bulgaria in areas that are subject to post- monitoring dialogue with PACE . Minister Vigenin noted that certain measures, aimed at guaranteeing more media transparency without setting regulations to the freedom of speech, are being considered. He said that following the recommendations of PACE, the National Assembly has started the procedure of developing a new electoral law. According to the Minister, the monitoring mechanisms - not only within the EU, but in other international and regional organizations, need some changes and optimization. The goal is to create conditions to support a wider range of countries, based on common criteria, rather than by focusing exclusively on individual countries, he said.
Opportunities for the development of bilateral cooperation in the economic field, sea and air transport, as well as conducting consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs were among the topics discussed by Kristian Vigenin and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama Fernando Nunez Fabrega. Vigenin expressed hope that the local authorities will assist the Bulgarian diplomatic and consular representatives accredited to Panama, in the case of the detained Bulgarian captain Svetlozar Sobadzhiev. Minister Vigenin proposed to consider the possibility of signing a bilateral agreement for the transfer of sentenced persons.
As part of his participation in the General Debate of the 68th Session of the UN GA in New York, Kristian Vigenin also met with the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Ditmir Bushati. Minister Vigenin confirmed the consistent support of Bulgaria to the European integration process of the Western Balkans. He expressed commitment to work for the intensification of bilateral economic relations and the realization of cross-border infrastructure projects of European scale as Corridor № 8. The two ministers also discussed the development of regional mechanisms and the opportunities to strengthen and enhance their efficiency.
Minister Vigenin participated in the opening of the General Debate of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly with the main theme “The Post-2015 Development Agenda:Setting the Stage”.
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