Bilateral meetings of Minister Daniel Mitov with the foreign ministers of Afghanistan and Kosovo
24 September 2016 News
On the sidelines of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly, Minister of Foreign Affairs Daniel Mitov conferred with his Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani. This was the first bilateral meeting at such level in 10 years since the 61st UN General Assembly Session in September 2006.
"Bulgaria has a long-term commitment to Afghanistan's recovery and development both on a bilateral basis and within the framework of EU and NATO cooperation," Minister Mitov said. "We are deeply concerned about the growing wave of migrants from Afghanistan and we expect that the problem will be addressed soon," he said, adding that Bulgaria is seeking a long-term solution to the problem with Afghan migrants in the country.
The Bulgarian Foreign Minister stressed the importance of the upcoming signing of the Joint Way Forward on migration issues between Afghanistan and the EU. The negotiations are in the final phase and after going through the procedure at the EU Council, the document is expected to be signed in Brussels on October 3, 2016.
Minister Mitov told his counterpart that Bulgaria attaches great importance to the planned signing of a Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development between the EU and Afghanistan, which is due to take place within the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan on October 5, 2016. The Agreement is the first contractual framework of relations in spheres like rule of law, development, education, science and technology, as well as interaction against money laundering, terrorism, organized crime and narcotics distribution. It focuses on EU-Afghanistan regular political dialogue, including dialogue on human rights and trade and investment promotion.
Minister Mitov also held a working meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo Enver Hoxhaj. The sides welcomed the good level of bilateral relations and agreed on exchanging visits soon. Bulgaria focused on the stability in the Western Balkans and expressed readiness to provide support to the Kosovo Stabilization and Association Process.
More photos
