Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova has begun her participation in the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. She held several bilateral talks and participated in international forums, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press center.
Petrova met separately with the heads of diplomacy from Algeria, Ahmed Ataf, and Georgia, Maka Bochorishvili. She also held discussions with the Foreign Minister of Chile, Francisco Pérez Mackenna, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraihi. These talks focused on bilateral relations, political and economic cooperation between Bulgaria and the respective countries, and opportunities for further deepening these ties.
During the meetings with the Georgian and Qatari delegations, the topic of the Regional Connectivity Summit, which Bulgaria will host in 2027, was addressed. The parties also discussed how to build more secure and diversified transport, energy, and economic links. These connections are intended to link Europe with the Black Sea region, the South Caucasus, the Middle East, and Asia.
Minister Petrova also held a separate meeting with the UN Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Sami Bahous. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs specified that during the conversation, Bulgaria reaffirmed its support for the organization's transparent and effective operations. Our country also supports broader participation of women in public and political life.
The Minister also participated in a meeting with global economic leaders organized by the World Economic Forum. Additionally, she took part in an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, which was also attended by the heads of diplomacy from Australia, Japan, India, and South Korea. According to the Ministry, the discussions centered on international security, the resilience of global supply chains, and the need for enhanced international cooperation amid increasing geopolitical division.
The general political debates of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly are scheduled to begin on September 22 at the organization's headquarters in New York. The Bulgarian delegation is headed by President Iliyana Yotova, with Minister Petrova as a member; her participation in side events commenced on September 21.
The Minister's program also includes a meeting with US Congressman Joe Wilson, founder and longtime co-chair of the Congressional Friendship Group with Bulgaria in the US House of Representatives. The conversation focused on the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States. The two sides discussed cooperation in the fields of security and defense, as well as opportunities for more active political and economic dialogue.