site.btaForeign Minister Gabriel Participates in Meeting of G7+ on Ukraine Energy Sector

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel participated in a meeting of foreign ministers in the G7+ format hosted by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Gabriel's Ministry reported here late Tuesday. The main topic on the agenda was support for Ukraine's energy sector.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba briefed participants on the damages to Ukraine's energy transmission system caused by Russian attacks. Ukraine has lost a significant portion of its energy capacity. Kuleba also listed the critical areas related to the winter season where assistance from partners is needed.

Gabriel said that coordination, pre-emptive action and collective support were the messages at the centre of the meeting. She pointed out that Bulgaria's joining the G7 Joint Declaration of support for Ukraine is a testament to "our continued long-term efforts".

The Minister said that in recent months active efforts have been made to deepen energy cooperation between the two countries. She recalled that during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Bulgaria in July 2023, a Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of energy was signed between the the two countries' energy ministries.

Gabriel told the meeting that Bulgaria remains fully committed to assisting Ukraine in the energy sector, as well as in any other sector where assistance is needed and can be provided. These commitments are a clear expression of our solidarity with Ukraine, she said. Gabriel also focused on the urgent need for additional humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in light of the upcoming winter season and the expected difficulties with the electricity supply in Ukraine.

On Monday, Bulgarian Minister of Justice endorsed Ukraine's peace formula proposed by Zelenskyy as part of the efforts to put an end to the war and establish peace.