Government’s Security Council issued position on the situation in Venezuela

The Security Council with the Council of Ministers held an extraordinary meeting on 5^th of February in connection with the situation in Venezuela, the Government's press office said.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov presided over the Council, which included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, representatives of the security services and the Bulgarian President.

The Council issued a position that Bulgaria expresses support for its partners in the EU and the international community, who recognize the President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, as interim president in view of soon conducting democratic elections for the peaceful resolution of the crisis, preventing a humanitarian catastrophe, deterring further escalation of tension and possible mass violence in the country.

"The Republic of Bulgaria voices its solidarity with all citizens of Venezuela, as well as with the citizens of the EU Member States who reside there. These are over 1 million people, mostly from Spain and Portugal, which are reliable partners of Bulgaria, for which there are plenty of examples, the last one being their support for the Bulgarian position concerning the protection of the Bulgarian road hauliers and workers in the transport sector," the Security Council's position reads.

The document was supported by all members of the Council except for the representatives of the President, the press release said.

Late on 4^th of February, President Rumen Radev came out with a position saying that Bulgaria should refrain from supporting the proposed EU position. He noted that the proposed common European position does not lead to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Venezuela.