Minister Georg Georgiev took part in the regular meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU
29 January 2026 News
Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev represented Bulgaria at the regular monthly meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union, which was held in Brussels.
The foreign ministers of the Member States began their work with the traditional discussion on Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. At the beginning of the debate, the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, took part via videoconference. The EU’s role in supporting peace negotiations and security guarantees, the complex energy situation in Ukraine, and the need to provide urgent assistance in order to prevent a possible severe humanitarian crisis were discussed. The ministers also stressed the need to maintain pressure on Russia, including through new sanctions, as well as the issue of Iran’s support for Russia’s military aggression. Emphasis was placed on the importance of targeted contacts with third countries to garner support for efforts towards a just and lasting peace and to counter Russian disinformation narratives, as well as on progress in holding Russia accountable.
The Bulgarian Foreign Minister condemned the ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. He stressed the importance of US-led diplomatic efforts aimed at a lasting and just peace in Ukraine.
The Council also discussed the situation in the Middle East, focusing on three main topics – Iran, Israel/Gaza and Syria. Minister Georgiev welcomed the launch of the second phase of the US plan to end the conflict in Gaza, adopted by UN Security Council Resolution 2803. It is of utmost importance that the plan be fully implemented, including through the provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza and the disarmament of “Hamas”, the minister stressed.
The ministers condemned the repression against protesting citizens in Iran. The Bulgarian foreign minister supported the need to resume inspections in Iran by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
EU foreign ministers also discussed the situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Fighting on the ground continues, particularly in South Kivu, despite a top-level agreement between DR Congo and Rwanda signed in Washington on 4 December 2025. The humanitarian situation in the eastern part of the country as of January 2026 has reached catastrophic proportions, with more than 7 million internally displaced persons and new refugee waves to Burundi and Rwanda.