site.btaCaretaker Foreign Minister Milkov Takes Part in Virtual Meeting of G7+ Foreign Ministers

Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Milkov participated in a virtual meeting of foreign ministers from the G7+ coordination format, dedicated to support for the energy sector in Ukraine, Milkov's Ministry reported here on Saturday. 

The meeting was held at the invitation of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. The event was co-chaired by Yoshimasa Hayashi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, which currently presides over the G7.

In addition to the G7 countries, partner countries from Europe and international organisations took part in the G7+ meeting.  

Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba also participated in the talks and briefed the participants on the current state of Ukraine's energy sector following Russia's attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure and plans for its restoration.

The ministers discussed ways to accelerate the supply of high-voltage transformers for the next winter season, as well as ways to support the medium- and long-term recovery of the energy sector, including by engaging the private sector.

In his remarks, Minister Milkov congratulated his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba and Ukraine for their courageous and valiant resistance and described the G7+ foreign ministers' meeting as timely and relevant.

"To date, Bulgaria has provided over EUR 240 million in assistance to Ukraine. In addition, we have provided emergency financial assistance in the form of earmarked contributions to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the UNHCR to help address the most pressing needs of the Ukrainian population, alleviating the energy situation," the Bulgarian Foreign Minister said.

He pointed out that Bulgaria has provided hundreds of generators during the winter months, including from private donations and as a result of initiatives, and that the Foreign Ministry has secured EUR 200,000 earmarked for the purchase of LED lighting to ease the strain on the Ukrainian electricity grid and reduce electricity costs. Also, as a member of the Board of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Bulgaria will contribute to efforts to establish a security zone around the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant.

Specific initiatives planned under future assistance were also noted. "We welcome all efforts to coordinate, collect and channel such assistance. Bulgaria remains committed to the unified EU and NATO response to Russian military aggression and destabilising behaviour," Minister Milkov said.