Nadezhda Neynski: We must not lose focus on Ukraine against the backdrop of the Middle East

In light of the situation in the Middle East, we must not lose focus on Ukraine, said the caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nadezhda Neynski, at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union. This was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Neynski represented Bulgaria at the regular monthly meeting of the Council, which took place today in Brussels.

“Coordination with our key international partners, and especially with the United States, on sanctions issues remains of utmost importance,” she added.

The work of the first diplomats of the member states began with the traditional participation via video conference of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andriy Sybyha, the announcement stated. He informed his colleagues about the current developments in the country and the latest diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the conflict.

The ministers discussed the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, as well as the need to maintain pressure on Russia, including through the adoption of new restrictive measures. They also exchanged views on the topics of security guarantees for Ukraine, the possibilities for monitoring a possible ceasefire, as well as preventing hybrid attacks by Russia in the context of the EU strategy adopted on the topic.

Among the main highlights on the agenda of the foreign ministers was also the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East. “Bulgaria condemns the indiscriminate and unprovoked Iranian attacks against countries in the Persian Gulf and other countries, including against civilian and critical infrastructure. We express our solidarity with our partners in the region,” said Minister Neynski.

“Maintaining maritime security and upholding freedom of navigation are of paramount importance. Any actions that impede the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as its mining, are unacceptable,” the caretaker foreign minister added.

During the discussion, the Council also considered the latest developments in Iran, the regional consequences of the conflict, the situation in Lebanon, the EU's contribution to de-escalation, as well as the impact of the current crisis on Gaza, the West Bank, and the EU missions within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy in the region.

The ministers also discussed the preparation of the Action Plan for the Pact for the Mediterranean, including the setting of the framework for the summit in Cyprus, scheduled for April 23–24, this year, with the participation of the southern neighborhood countries.

As part of her participation in the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Nadezhda Neynski also had bilateral meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Georgios Gerapetritis, with the French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, and with the Italian first diplomat Antonio Tajani.

She expressed gratitude to Minister Gerapetritis for the assistance provided by Greece in protecting Bulgarian airspace. The two also discussed the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean region, as well as the possible consequences for the EU of the war against Iran. The focus of the conversation was also energy and transport connectivity in the region, the MFA points out.

During the conversation with the French Foreign Minister Barrot, the current aspects of security in the Middle East and their impact on the European Union, and in particular on Southeast Europe, were discussed.

The proposal of President Donald Trump for the protection of the Strait of Hormuz is to allies of the United States who have the capacity and desire to participate, it is not explicitly to NATO, the caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs stated today to Bulgarian journalists in Brussels.