The Minister of Foreign Affairs Svetlan Stoev confirmed Bulgaria’s strong commitment to Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and dialogue during the VI Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean, held on November 29, 2021. It brought together the foreign ministers of the union’s 42 member states in Barcelona.
“The development and deepening of economic and trade relations between the Mediterranean countries is key to tackling the economic and social problems arising from the COVID-19 pandemic”, our foreign minister said in a statement at the forum.
The Bulgarian side emphasized its view that solidarity and multilateralism should be the basic principles of each country, especially in times of unprecedented challenges.
“I am convinced that it is possible to successfully overcome the crisis with COVID-19, which affects all aspects of public life, only if we work together”, Minister Stoev said. The new reality requires action to build the resilience of society, institutions and businesses so that we can all make adequate, timely and well-informed decisions to address the challenges of climate change and disaster prevention, while ensuring equal involvement of all members of our society.
The discussion of the meeting focused on five key topics – environment and climate, sustainable economic development, human resources development, social inclusion and equality, digital transformation and civil protection. Bulgaria shares the view that the five priority areas should be the basis for further deepening co-operation within the Union for the Mediterranean.
The Union for the Mediterranean involves 27 EU member states and 15 Mediterranean countries from the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans. Bulgaria has been a member of the Union since its inception in 2008.
In Barcelona, Svetlan Stoev also represented Bulgaria at the EU Ministerial Meeting and the Southern Neighbourhood Partner Countries. Recent developments on climate change, the economic benefits of investing in this area, as well as future projects under the new Mediterranean Agenda were discussed.
The Bulgarian side stressed the importance of the Southern Neighbourhood partners for the EU. We work closely with them to address common challenges related to security, the environment, energy, the fight against terrorism, education and especially climate change. Bulgaria supports the deepening of the partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood, combined with close political dialogue and sincere political commitments.
The Southern Neighbourhood covers EU cooperation with Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia. In December 2020, the European Council adopted conclusions on the Southern Neighbourhood, reaffirming the strategic importance of relations with the region and the desire to strengthen them.
