Minister Georg Georgiev to the Media During the EU Foreign Affairs Council: “We call for de-escalation and for preventing further escalation of the conflict in the Middle East”
23 June 2025 News
“We continue to monitor the evolving situation, while emphasising that what most concerns Bulgaria and our citizens is the safety of our compatriots in the countries of the region. This issue is of utmost priority for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” This was stated by Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev in Brussels, where he is taking part in today’s meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. Our chief diplomat reported that more than 150 individuals have expressed a desire to leave Israel – only two of whom are Bulgarian citizens, with the remainder holding dual nationality. The Bulgarian Embassy continues to collect and process requests from Bulgarian nationals wishing to evacuate, and the situation remains extremely fluid. The Minister urged all Bulgarian citizens in the region to follow updates on the Ministry’s official website and to register when travelling, in order to facilitate the work of diplomatic and consular missions. He also stressed that, through the Ministry of Tourism, the State of Israel is allowing a limited number of flights from Tel Aviv, for which those interested may register.
Bulgaria’s chief diplomat expressed deep concern regarding the findings of the IAEA, and reiterated Bulgaria’s call for a de-escalation of tensions, a diplomatic resolution, and the prevention of any further escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.
“The situation in the Middle East must not shift our focus away from the most serious threat to the European security architecture – the war in Ukraine, our solidarity with Ukraine, and the achievement of a lasting and sustainable peace in the country. We will not abandon our critical engagement on this issue, nor will we cease to condemn Russian aggression, and under no circumstances will the EU retreat from its stated policies and positions regarding Russia’s war of aggression,” stated Georg Georgiev.
Regarding the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague, Minister Georgiev affirmed that Bulgaria remains committed to efforts to increase defence spending — a necessity given the current state of security in Europe and globally, and also important for the modernisation and readiness of Bulgaria’s own armed forces. He emphasised that Bulgaria continues to draw attention to the importance of security in the Black Sea region, which is of critical strategic value, neighbouring the war zone and NATO’s allied presence, and vital to the interests of regional partners.
Commenting on the upcoming European Parliament report on the Republic of North Macedonia, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister expressed concern over the fact that certain politicians appear to know the final outcome of the report in advance and are predicting developments accordingly. He stressed that European institutions must not be used as instruments for the advancement of particular political agendas. “The 2022 consensus remains in force, and no EU Member State intends to deviate from it. Bulgaria has a very consistent and principled policy in this regard — we support the enlargement process, which is extremely important and directly linked to our regional security and that of the EU. However, it must be based on the principle of own merit,” Georgiev underscored.