site.btaMinister Mitov Participates in Informal Meeting of SEECP Foreign Ministers in New York

Minister Mitov Participates in Informal Meeting of SEECP Foreign Ministers in New York

Sofia, October 1 (BTA) - The first informal meeting of the foreign ministers of the countries participating in the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) took place in New York on Wednesday, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said.

The meeting was hosted by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov in his capacity of current SEECP Chairman. Also participating in the event were Regional Cooperation Council Secretary General Goran Svilanovic and UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.

Mitov presented the priorities of the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office (July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016). He pointed out that Bulgaria's efforts are directed at the three main spheres of interaction in the region: connectivity - transport, energy and infrastructure; media freedom and freedom of expression; migration and tackling the refugee flow. Under the motto "SEECP - 20 Years Key to Regional Cooperation", Bulgaria marks the 20th anniversary of the political format, established in Sofia in 1996.

The participants in the informal meeting discussed the current topics for the region and Europe, including the latest developments and prospects before SEECP, its interaction with other regional initiatives, the opportunities for handling the challenges stemming from the migration flows, as well as the need to promote economic growth and increase the connectivity between the countries in the region.

Mitov expressed strong concern over the situation with the refugee flow in Southeastern Europe, and underscored the need to immediately elaborate a common coordination mechanism for fighting illegal migration and human trafficking.

Svilanovic presented a regional platform elaborated with the cooperation of the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office, which is aimed at countering radicalization and the permanent establishment of foreign terrorist fighters in the region.