site.btaForeign Minister Highlights Growing Link between NATO Security and Middle East

The crisis in the Persian Gulf, tensions surrounding Iran, the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the vulnerability of global energy markets clearly demonstrate the growing interdependence between NATO's security and that of the Middle East, Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova said during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers with partners from the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative - Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release on Wednesday.

According to Petrova, these developments require closer political dialogue with partners in the region through enhanced practical cooperation, including full use of individually tailored partnership programmes.

The meeting was held as part of the NATO Summit taking place in Ankara on July 7 and 8. Petrova is a member of the delegation led by Prime Minister Rumen Radev.

In Ankara, Petrova also attended a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, which was joined by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

The Allies and the Ukrainian side exchanged views on developments on the ground. Ukraine called for a ceasefire as a first step towards launching negotiations and seeking a diplomatic solution. Participants broadly agreed that support for Ukraine should remain sustainable and predictable.

Bulgaria reaffirmed its support for Ukraine and for achieving a just and lasting settlement of the conflict through diplomacy, with the active involvement of Ukraine and the European Union, the ministry added.

Petrova's programme also includes bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of the Netherlands, Sweden and Ukraine to discuss current security challenges, regional stability and strengthening cooperation within the Alliance.