Minister Daniel Mitov met with the Ambassador of Ukraine
12 August 2014 News
Minister Daniel Mitov met with the Ambassador of Ukraine to Sofia Mykola Baltazhy. They focused on the bill, adopted on first reading by the Ukrainian Parliament, which allows to impose anti-Russian sanctions package, including restricting or suspending the transit of Russian natural gas through Ukrainian territory.
We are closely following the developments of the situation and we urge Ukraine to refrain from rash actions and to coordinate further measures with its European partners, said Minister Mitov.
Ambassador Baltazhy assured that Ukraine understands Bulgaria's concerns and explained that this is just a legislative framework and does not mean that sanctions will be imposed automatically. The mechanism provides for the decisions to be made by the National Security and Defense Council and to enter into force with a presidential decree. Any actions in that direction will be discussed with the relevant Ukrainian institutions, as well as with our European partners, he said.
Minister Mitov reaffirmed Bulgaria's position in support of Ukraine's territorial integrity. We are deeply convinced that Ukraine's future is in Europe, he said. Mykola Baltazhy thanked Bulgaria for its consistent support, recalling that it is the fourth Member State to ratify the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
The Foreign Minister and Ukraine's Ambassador also discussed the situation with the Russian humanitarian aid convoy. The two agreed that such missions must be coordinated with the relevant international institutions and the Ukrainian authorities.