Deputy Prime Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva presented Bulgaria’s foreign policy priorities to the diplomatic corps

The Deputy Prime Minister for Judicial Reform and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva presented Bulgaria’s foreign policy priorities to the diplomatic corps in Sofia.

“I am glad to see all of you here today. Ninety per cent of you know me, and we have been able to work together in my capacity as chef de cabinet to the President and Minister of Justice. We have always had an open and friendly relationship, and I hope that we will keep in future the good and fruitful cooperation that we have built over the years,” Deputy Prime Minister Zaharieva said, addressing the ambassadors accredited to the country.

“The European and Euro-Atlantic direction of development has always been of key interest to Bulgaria. I am glad that there is consistency and continuity in foreign policy in this respect,” she said.

“I believe that we are all interested in having a strong and united Europe which alone can respond adequately to the numerous global challenges that we confront today. Keeping the unity of the European Union and deepening integration among Member States is crucial in this respect,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised in her remarks to the diplomats.

Among the important foreign-policy targets that the Government sets itself in a European context, she singled out the country’s accession to Schengen and the eurozone.

“Bulgaria takes an exceedingly responsible view of our country’s forthcoming first Presidency of the EU Council and the topics on which it will concentrate: Brexit, the debate on the future of Europe, and the next multiannual financial framework,” Zaharieva stressed. “Joint work on the Trio Programme has been finalised, and I do not doubt that we will succeed in implementing the priorities we have set. Bulgaria will be actively involved in the debate on the future of Europe, we will be working for effective progress of the European agenda and for reinforcing the unity of the Union.”

“I believe it is important that decisions on the future of the Union should be made not only at the political level but also as a result of a broad discussion with NGO representatives, the business community and citizens. The questions of security, stable employment and the fight against youth unemployment, the future of Cohesion Policy and the single European market remain key priorities,” Deputy Prime Minister Zaharieva pointed out.

“Our country will also make efforts towards finding sustainable European solutions to the migration problem and ensuring full control of the EU external borders. This is an important highlight among the Bulgarian Presidency priorities both internationally and domestically,” the chief Bulgarian diplomat emphasised. In her words, one option for a sustainable solution to the migration problem is channelling efforts into the educating young people of particular communities, as well as into providing opportunities for economic development of their countries of origin. “Bulgaria is ready to make its own active contribution to the ongoing initiatives and to work for their expansion,” she stressed.

“In external relations, the Bulgarian Presidency programme will focus on the Western Balkans,” the Foreign Minister pointed out further on. She described the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans as Bulgaria’s foremost priority exceeding the bounds of the Presidency. “This is the only prospect guaranteeing our region’s security, stability and prosperity, and we are ready to support our neighbours – certainly, depending on the individual progress made by each country,” Ekaterina Zaharieva said. In her words, “the European leaders must give the countries in the region a very clear sign that their European perspective is important to us all.”

“Bulgaria considers it important to continue to deepen bilateral political, economic and cultural relations with the countries of Southeastern Europe through encouragement of sectoral partnership in all areas of mutual interest, participation in the various regional cooperation formats, as well as through support for building the region’s infrastructure and energy connectivity. “Bulgaria will keep its consistent and active position in support of the Eastern Partnership initiative: for political association, economic integration and a European perspective of Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, as well as for finalising new deep and comprehensive partnership agreements with Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is up to each individual country to decide how to proceed, we must not press them but give them the support they need,” Ekaterina Zaharieva emphasised.

“We prioritise our NATO membership and participation in the security cooperation formats, asserting the balance and stability in the Black Sea region. This is also part of Bulgaria’s national interest,” Deputy Prime Minister Zaharieva pointed out. In her words, the institutions are in consensus that this country will honour the commitments assumed in Wales on a phased increase of defence spending. “Working for an improvement of the capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces is also important to us.”

Addressing the diplomatic corps, Zaharieva stressed that her Ministry will also make efforts to improve the effectiveness of Bulgaria’s participation in the UN and other international organisations, entities and forums of a universal nature. A new legal framework is being drafted that will enable this country to be more active in this respect.

In her remarks to the members of the diplomatic corps, the Deputy Prime Minister singled out admission to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development as yet another foreign policy priority. Zaharieva specified that work is already underway for the improvement and creation of an internal coordination mechanism for the attainment of this goal.

“In bilateral relations, we attach paramount importance to keeping the sustainable strategic partnerships that have been built and efforts to deepen vigorous cooperation with partner countries in all regions in areas of mutual interest,” Zaharieva noted further on. “I believe that foreign policy must be more practically oriented, which is why we will be seeking fresh opportunities for broader trade and economic contacts. The Bulgarian Government is giving top priority to the creation of a stable business environment for local companies and foreign investors, as well as to support for Bulgarian companies goods and services making inroads and securing a foothold in international markets, and foreign policy can contribute substantially to this end,” the chief Bulgarian diplomat stressed.

Ekaterina Zaharieva defined caring and protecting the rights of Bulgarian communities abroad, promoting and encouraging their culture and national self-identification as a key priority, and she thanked the members of the foreign diplomatic missions for their countries’ support in this respect.

Within the framework of the working meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Zaharieva introduced her team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She also held a discussion with the foreign diplomats on specific issues on the European and international agenda.