Council of Ministers: Bulgaria Gives Qualified Support to France’s iIitiative on Key Principles of European Security

Bulgaria has given qualified support to France's initiative on key principles of European security, presented at the Ninth Summit of the European Political Community, held in Dublin, the press service of the Council of Ministers said on November 13.

The initiative reaffirms the foundations of security in Europe: the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the right of every country to choose its own alliances. Upholding these principles is in Bulgaria's direct interest. The initiative was supported by around 40 countries, including all European Union member states. It builds on the established frameworks of the EU and NATO, while also bringing together countries outside these organisations around common security principles. Its aim is to jointly develop capabilities and coordinate action to counter threats ranging from hybrid attacks, terrorism and organised crime to the fight against drug production and trafficking and illegal migration.

Bulgaria supports achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine through negotiations, with the latest round of talks in Abu Dhabi, mediated by the United States, representing an important step in this direction. European positions should support this process. Bulgaria therefore insists that the wording of joint European documents should reflect the evolving situation and expectations surrounding the peace negotiations. In this connection, Prime Minister Radev submitted written reservations concerning the declaration's preamble, calling for its political messages to be adapted to the current stage of negotiations so that they do not hinder the achievement of a common solution in the interests of peace.

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The initiative explicitly respects each country's national security and defence policies.

Within the framework of the key principles of European security, Bulgaria will continue working to promote security in the Black Sea region, freedom of navigation and the protection of critical infrastructure against hybrid threats.