Bulgaria welcomes and intends to actively participate in the establishment of a Black Sea Maritime Security Center, a key goal outlined in the new Strategic Approach. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Georg Georgiev, at a meeting on interregional security and connectivity, which brought together the foreign ministers of the European Union member states, the Eastern Partnership countries, the Black Sea region, and Central Asia. The event took place on October 20, 2025, in Luxembourg. The information was distributed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on its website.
In the lively atmosphere of the first plenary session, the ministers discussed the details of the new European Union Strategic Approach for the Black Sea. The document emphasizes the strategic importance of the region for the security, stability, and prosperity of the entire European continent.
According to Georgiev, security, stability, and effective connectivity in the Black Sea region are of vital interest not only to Bulgaria and the other Black Sea countries, but also to the entire European Union. This highlights the shared responsibility and shared interests in this key region.
In the second part of the meeting, the focus was on the Connectivity Program. The aim of this program is to unlock the potential of the Black Sea region as a bridge between Europe and Central Asia. This will be realized through the development of transport, energy, and digital links, and the project also includes the Western Balkans, as stated by the ministry.
The Bulgarian Foreign Minister emphasized the country"s support for the development of sustainable links between the European Union, the Eastern Partnership countries, Turkey, and the countries of Central Asia. In addition, he highlighted the importance of expanding infrastructure and transport corridors, which are of key importance for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Since yesterday, Georg Georgiev has been in Luxembourg, where he met with journalists on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting. There he made a statement that attracted significant attention. Bulgaria will allow a plane carrying Vladimir Putin to pass through its airspace. This step aims to facilitate the planned meeting between the Russian leader and Donald Trump, which is to take place in Budapest later this month. This news inevitably raises questions about Bulgaria"s role in the context of international relations and geopolitical events.