Deputy Minister Marin Raykov Participates in the EU General Affairs Council Meeting
17 March 2026 News
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marin Raykov, represented Bulgaria at the regular meeting of the General Affairs Council of the European Union, which took place in Brussels.
A key focus of the discussions was the preparation for the forthcoming meeting of the European Council on 19 March. The draft conclusions cover topics such as support for Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, competitiveness and the deepening of the Single Market, the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2028 – 2034, security and defence, migration, and multilateralism.
In his remarks, Deputy Minister Raykov emphasised that the European Council is expected to reaffirm the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine. He noted that developments in the Middle East should not divert attention from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as Europe’s security is directly linked to the outcome of this conflict.
The Deputy Minister highlighted the need for a swift decision that would enable the adoption of the 20th package of sanctions, as well as the entry into force of the loan in support of Ukraine.
Among the key items on the agenda were also the rising prices of energy resources and electricity. In this context, the Bulgarian side emphasised the need for urgent and coordinated action at European level to address regulatory and infrastructure barriers, improve cross-border connectivity, and implement accelerated state aid procedures in support of industry and vulnerable consumers.
European leaders will continue discussions on enhancing competitiveness by reducing administrative burdens, ensuring affordable energy, and promoting innovation and investment.
The General Affairs Council also reached a principled agreement on amendments to the Act concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament.
During his visit to Brussels, Deputy Minister Marin Raykov held a bilateral meeting with the French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad. The two discussed current items on the European agenda.
Deputy Minister Raykov also took part in a meeting of the “Friends of Cohesion Policy” Group, where the measures to be included in the future Multiannual Financial Framework were discussed.
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