site.btaBulgaria's Chief Diplomat Participates in Informal Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev Thursday participated in an informal meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Antalya (Turkiye). The ministers met to lay the groundwork for the NATO Summit in The Hague on June 24-25 and to talk about the important decisions that the Alliance is expected to make, the Foreign Ministry said.

In his remarks, Georgiev highlighted the strategic importance of the Black Sea and the Western Balkans - regions of key significance for Bulgaria. "As a Black Sea state, Bulgaria is committed to ensuring security and the freedom of navigation in the region, including through initiatives such as the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea (MCM Black Sea) Task Group," he stated. He further stressed that, given the serious security threats in the Black Sea region, it is essential to ensure more visible deterrence and defence by NATO.

The top diplomats talked about the need for a gradual increase in defence spending with a view to a fairer distribution of burdens and responsibilities, as well as for strengthening the Allies' defence capabilities and the transatlantic bond. The Alliance's foreign ministers also discussed ensuring long-term support for Ukraine, said the Foreign Ministry.