Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Teodora Genchovska took part in the regular March meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. European foreign ministers discussed the latest developments in Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, including future EU action and opportunities to increase support for Ukraine, the situation in Mali and Ethiopia. They spoke with Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu and discussed the situation in the country in detail in the context of the war in Ukraine.
“We strongly condemn Russia’s military action against Ukraine and the brutal Russian bombing of civilian targets, including residential buildings, schools, kindergartens and hospitals”, Minister Teodora Genchovska said during the discussion. She noted the importance of comprehensive sanctions against the Moscow regime, which reduce the aggressor’s resources. The need for an active fight against Russian disinformation and the continuation of diplomatic contacts with third countries, with an emphasis on the countries of the Western Balkans, was stressed.
Before their Moldovan counterpart, the ministers of the member states stressed the EU’s full support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova. “The Republic of Moldova is in a very difficult situation due to the Russian military aggression against Ukraine. The country accepts thousands of refugees and needs our support and solidarity”, the first Bulgarian diplomat said. “Bulgaria is a convinced and consistent supporter of the European perspective for Chisinau, in compliance with existing procedures”, she added.
During the joint session of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence, dedicated to the Strategic Compass, Ministers Teodora Genchovska and Dragomir Zakov stressed the changed geostrategic environment as a result of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine. “The EU needs to be better prepared and equipped to be able to respond adequately to changes in the scale and type of threats”, the first Bulgarian diplomat said, noting that further strengthening the strategic partnership with NATO is of paramount importance. A joint session of EU foreign and military ministers adopted a draft Strategic Compass, to be approved by the European Council later this week.
Within the Foreign Affairs Council, Minister Genchovska took part in a working dinner on Ukraine’s European perspective, as well as a working breakfast of the BSEC Foreign Ministers with their counterpart from the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Bujar Osmani. “Bulgaria appreciates the accession of candidate countries from the Western Balkans to EU sanctions against the Russian Federation. This is an indicator of the European values ​​that these countries share”, Minister Teodora Genchovska said.
