Georgiev on the Western Balkans at a Meeting in Belfast

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, Georg Georgiev, participated in a key international meeting focused on the future of the Western Balkans. The event, organized within the framework of the Berlin Process, took place from October 8-9 and was hosted by the United Kingdom in the city of Belfast.

In his speech to his colleagues from other countries, Minister Georgiev emphasized the essential importance of the Berlin Process as a key instrument for supporting the European perspective of the Western Balkans. He noted the role of the process in deepening regional cooperation and achieving concrete results that would improve the lives of citizens, as a key principle in assessing the progress of each candidate country.

Minister Georgiev also highlighted Bulgaria's motto within the framework of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) – "Compass to stability, security, and sustainability". According to him, this motto reflects Bulgaria's categorical determination to find effective solutions to the challenges in Southeast Europe, with the aim of building a better future for all societies in the region.

In the course of his presentation, Minister Georgiev highlighted several key priorities for Bulgaria. First, he stressed the importance of regional connectivity, energy sustainability, and economic growth as the main drivers of human development and as a means of reducing vulnerabilities. The second priority, pointed out by the minister, was security and resilience against hybrid threats. This included the construction of coordinated digital frameworks, early warning systems, and raising public awareness. Thirdly, the management of migration processes was pointed out through increased cooperation in border protection, the provision of humanitarian support, and the implementation of integration policies based on solidarity and shared responsibility.

Minister Georgiev warned that security in the region should not be taken for granted, but as a common achievement that requires investment, cooperation, and determination to build a stronger and more secure Europe. He also emphasized the negative influence of the ongoing aggressive war waged by Russia against Ukraine on the stability in the Western Balkans, which is complicated by external malicious influences and hybrid actions. This assessment is important in the context of Russia's actions, which often provoke tension and insecurity in the region.

In conclusion, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister called for deepening the interaction between the Berlin Process and the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), with the aim of accelerating the common path to a stable, secure, and sustainable region. Georg Georgiev concluded his speech with a call for unity, emphasizing that "only together can we turn challenges into opportunities and build a common European future for the Western Balkans".