Southeast Europe Foreign Ministers hold meeting in New York
29 September 2013 News
Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristian Vigenin confirmed Sofia's bid to host the permanent secretariat of the parliamentary dimension of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) during an informal meeting of the SEECP Foreign Ministers in New York. Vigenin gave high assessment to the set of priorities of the Romania’s SEECP chairmanship presented by the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Titus Corlățean . Vigenin highlighted the importance of the process to focus on best practices in regional cooperation so far that lead to tangible results and on the application of the principle of active participation of all countries in the region. The Minister also supported the intention of Greece to stimulate and intensify the process of European integration of the Western Balkans during its upcoming EU presidency in the first half of next year. He also expressed the view that the process of regional cooperation should be developed within the already established formats.
You can rely on our full support in the UN for each step that leads to lasting peace in Syria. This was said by Minister Vigenin during his meeting with Lakhdar Brahimi - United Nations and Arab League Special Envoy to Syria. The two welcomed the demonstrated will of the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution on Syria. Kristian Vigenin and Lakhdar Brahimi expressed hope that soon the government and the opposition in Syria will sit at the negotiating table. They shared the opinion that there is a need of political solution for a lasting settlement of the conflict in the country and a step towards such is the successful organization of a second international peace conference.
Bulgaria takes seriously its responsibilities as a country in close proximity to the conflict region. The refugee flow to the country has steadily increased and we seek opportunities for receiving international expert and financial support to resolve the issue , Minister Vigenin added.
As part of his participation in the General Debate of the 68th Session of the UN GA, Minister Vigenin also met with the Foreign Minister of Kuwait , Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. In relation to the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Kuwait, the two ministers expressed their willingness to work for deepening the bilateral relations in all fields. Vigenin offered a business forum to be held in parallel with the next Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation.
During the meeting they discussed topical issues on the UN agenda including the situation in Syria and the prospects for development in the Middle East as a whole. They exchanged requests for support of the applications of both countries for non-permanent membership of the Security Council.
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