Minister Nadezhda Neynski Participates in the Regular Meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council
16 March 2026 News
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nadezhda Neynski, represented Bulgaria at the regular monthly meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union, which took place today in Brussels.
The proceedings of the foreign ministers of the Member States began with the customary participation, via videoconference, of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha. He briefed his counterparts on the latest developments in the country and on recent diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a resolution to the conflict.
The ministers discussed the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, as well as the need to maintain pressure on Russia, including through the adoption of new restrictive measures. They also exchanged views on security guarantees for Ukraine, the possibilities for monitoring a potential ceasefire, and the prevention of hybrid attacks by Russia in the context of the EU’s adopted strategy on the matter.
“In the context of the situation in the Middle East, we must not lose our focus on Ukraine,” Minister Neynski stated in her remarks. “Coordination with our key international partners, and in particular with the United States of America on sanctions policy, remains of paramount importance,” she added.
Among the main items on the foreign ministers’ agenda was also the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East. “Bulgaria condemns the indiscriminate and unprovoked Iranian attacks against countries in the Gulf region and other states, including against civilian and critical infrastructure. We express our solidarity with our partners in the region,” Minister Neynski stated.
“Maintaining maritime security and upholding the freedom of navigation are of utmost importance. Any actions that obstruct the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as its mining, are unacceptable,” the Bulgarian Foreign Minister added.
Within the framework of the discussion, the Council also reviewed the latest developments in Iran, the regional implications of the conflict, the situation in Lebanon, the European Union’s contribution to de-escalation, as well as the impact of the current crisis on the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and EU missions under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) in the region.
The ministers also discussed preparations for the Action Plan under the Pact for the Mediterranean, including the establishment of the framework for the Summit to be held in Cyprus on 23–24 April 2026, with the participation of the countries of the Southern Neighbourhood.
In the course of her participation in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, Minister Neynski held bilateral meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Georgios Gerapetritis, with the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, and with Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani.
The Bulgarian Foreign Minister expressed her gratitude to Minister Gerapetritis for Greece’s assistance in the protection of Bulgarian airspace. The two also discussed the concerning situation in the Eastern Mediterranean region, as well as the possible implications for the European Union of the war against Iran. Energy and transport connectivity in the region were also a key focus of the discussion.
During her meeting with the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, current aspects of security in the Middle East and their impact on the European Union, and in particular on South-Eastern Europe, were reviewed.
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