Ukraine and EU-Russia relations dominate the agenda of the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers
30 August 2014 News
Developments in Ukraine and EU-Russia relations top the agenda of the two-day Gymnich meeting of the EU foreign ministers in Milan with the participation of Minister Daniel Mitov. The top diplomats of the 28 EU member states unanimously expressed growing concern over the movement of Russian troops in Eastern and Southern Ukraine. The lack of perspective in the de-escalation process and uncertainty about the future actions call for a quick agreement between member states to take counter-measures, including new sanctions, in response to the unilateral actionsof the Russian Federation. At the same time, the efforts to hold dialogue with Russia should continue.
The entry of Russian armed troops into Ukrainian territory is another gross violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and of international law. The latest developments lead to unacceptable escalation with serious consequences forthe parties to the conflict, said Minister Daniel Mitov. He pointed out that the discrepancy between the declared willingness for finding diplomatic solution and the concurrent movement of Russian troops into Ukrainian territory questions the real intentions of the Russian Federation and seriously undermines its credibility.
The Bulgarian Foreign Minister claimed that urgent measures of the international community are inevitable so as to put the conflict under control, gradually de-escalate it and find a lasting political solution. Withdrawal of the Russian troops from Ukrainian territory is a compulsory part of this, he said.
The crisis in Ukraine threatens the security of gas supplies to Europe, which would strongly affect Bulgaria, Minister Mitov said at the meeting. According to him, the EU urgently needs a common energy strategy for dealing with its energy dependence on Russia.
The agenda of the meeting also included a discussion on the prospects of the Middle East peace process in the context of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Today’s talks of the foreign ministers will focus on the Southern Neighbourhood, in particular the situation in Syria, Libya and Iraq.
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