Bulgaria consistently supports the development of the EU's relations with Ukraine
19 November 2013 News
Bulgaria consistently supports the development of the EU's relations with Ukraine. This was said by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristian Vigenin during today’s EU Foreign Affairs Council, held in November in Brussels. The Council discussed the progress of Ukraine on the benchmarks set out by the EU in December 2012, as well as the the preparation of the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius. The Bulgarian Foreign Minister emphasized the expectations of a successful summit in Vilnius, aimed at concrete results. " Bulgaria hopes the Association Agreement with Ukraine to be signed because it has a strategic dimension and is an important step towards strengthening the cooperation with Kiev ," said Kristian Vigenin . " The EU should comply with its strong commitment to the Eastern Partnership countries, which is an important incentive for reforms in these countries and will increase the security and stability in the region " , said the Bulgarian top diplomat.
Minister Vigenin discussed with his colleagues also the growing migration pressure on the Member States and in particular - Bulgaria. " Bulgaria expects the European Commission and the European External External Action Service to intensify the dialogue with third countries in the fight against illegal immigration, human trafficking and the conclusion of readmission agreements. The negotiations with Turkey - a major partner and a transit country for many immigrants, on concluding the readmission agreement should continue, " said Minister Kristian Vigenin.
The EU foreign ministers discussed and adopted the Council conclusions on the situation in Libya and Syria and discussed the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A joint meeting of the EU foreign ministers and defense ministers took place within the framework of the Foreign Affairs Council. The Council focused on the preparation of the upcoming December European Council, which will adopt conclusions on the Common Security and Defense Policy.
" Bulgaria supports the joint efforts of the Member States and the EU institutions, aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the common security policy of the EU, as well as the creation of conditions and prerequisites for expanding and deepening the cooperation in the development of defense capabilities ," said in his statement Minister Vigenin.