Working meeting of Foreign Ministers of Bulgaria and Canada
04 December 2014 News
Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov held a bilateral meeting with his Canadian counterpart John Baird within the 21st OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Basel.The two foreign ministers expressed mutual desire for activating the bilateral political dialogue and cooperation, as well as within multilateral forums and, more specifically, the EU-Canada strategic partnership. They agreed that the Bulgarian-Canadian trade and economic relations have big potential, and expressed readiness to organise a joint business forum.
Minister Mitov raised the issue of lifting the visa requirement for Bulgarian nationals. Minister Baird said that the legislation is currently being amended towards visa facilitation and complete removal of visas for EU nationals. The two sides welcomed the launch of the Business Express Programme in October and described it as a good transition measure.
In the context of the international political situation, the two ministers expressed their firm support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. They agreed that the events in Ukraine are an inadmissible violation of international law and a challenge to the foundations of democracy.
The top diplomats of Bulgaria and Canada exchanged invitations for State visits. Minister John Baird accepted the invitation and said he would visit Bulgaria in the near future.