The Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev met with the High Commissioner for Strategic Planning of France.

During the 20th edition of the GLOBSEC forum in Prague, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georgi Georgiev held a meeting with the French High Commissioner for Strategic Planning, Clément Bonne. The two discussed current issues related to defense and security, the development of the European Union and the prospects for its expansion.

Minister Georgiev stressed that the many crises that have arisen, including the war in Ukraine and the rising tension in the Middle East, have led to a profound change in the global security architecture. In this regard, he said, Europe needs to significantly increase its defense readiness and military capabilities to better ensure its own security and defense, and to be a reliable guarantor of global security.

The Bulgarian Foreign Minister stressed that in today's increasingly complex geopolitical situation, maintaining unity among EU countries remains the Union's greatest strength. He pointed out that for Bulgaria, it is a priority for the EU to continue to make efforts for economic and social cohesion between the Member States and regions, as cohesion is not only a tool for economic growth and competitiveness, but also a factor for strengthening public trust and support in the Union.

Minister Georgiev was adamant that EU integration is the only viable path to peace and prosperity for the Western Balkans. He clarified that the aspiration to accelerate integration processes should not be at the expense of the merit-based approach and the established enlargement methodology. Regarding the Republic of North Macedonia, Bulgaria's position remains clear and consistent - engaged with the European consensus of July 2022 and without additional conditions.