site.btaPresident Iotova Clarifies Media Reports about Joint Statement on Ukraine Allegedly Signed by Her at UN

President Iliana Iotova posted a clarification on Facebook on Thursday addressing media reports that she had signed a joint statement on Ukraine following an expanded UN Security Council meeting on the issue on Wednesday.

"Regarding reports that I signed a joint statement following the expanded UN Security Council meeting, I must clarify the matter," Iotova said.

"First, the statement was not signed. It was sent to all UN Member States before the session in New York. Bulgaria had no opportunity to express reservations about the position presented, nor were the proposed amendments accepted. For this reason, I did not attend the expanded meeting of the Council, as evidenced by my absence from the group photo afterwards," Iotova said.

"I stated my position in my address to the UN General Assembly. There is no military solution for Ukraine. Peace cannot be achieved without the participation of Ukraine and Russia," the President said in her statement.

Iotova is heading the Bulgarian delegation to the general political debate during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

In a written statement on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry said Bulgaria supports European unity and, in this regard, has endorsed the declaration on Ukraine published by the United Nations. At the same time, the Ministry emphasized that Bulgaria's national position was not fully reflected in the declaration. Bulgaria's position was presented by President Iliana Iotova in her remarks during the general political debate, the Foreign Ministry said.