site.btaDeputy Foreign Minister Shekerletova at Tuesday's General Affairs Council in Brussels

Deputy Foreign Minister Elena Shekerletova represented Bulgaria at Tuesday's General Affairs Council in Brussels on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry said. The agenda included preparations for the European Council meeting on March 21 and 22 and discussions on the European Semester and on the future of Europe. At their upcoming meeting, EU leaders are expected to address Ukraine, security and defence, the Middle East, enlargement, foreign affairs, migration, and agriculture.

Shekerletova said the EU should send a strong message of firm long-term support for Ukraine at the upcoming European Council meeting. Particular attention should be paid to security and stability in the Black Sea region, which is threatened by Moscow's actions.

Regarding security and defence, the European Council's discussion is expected to focus on the need to increase spending and strengthen defence production in the EU. As to enlargement, EU leaders are expected to discuss Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress based on the European Commission report of March 13, 2024, with a view to making a decision on the opening of EU accession negotiations. Bulgaria supports the EU integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a single, indivisible and sovereign state, Shekerletova said.