site.btaBulgarian Foreign Minister Describes Russian Drone Incursion into Poland as "Clear Provocation, Demonstration of Hostility"

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev commented Saturday on the entry of Russian drones into Polish airspace on the night of September 9-10. “What we observed - 19 unmanned aerial vehicles entering so deeply into the foreign airspace of a NATO country - is a clear provocation,” he told Nova News. 

"Whether they were trying to test something, carry out a surveillance mission or something else, in any case, this is a demonstration of hostility, which I believe NATO and the European Union are addressing correctly. In no case can I imagine that the Polish authorities, without sufficient data, would resort to this measure to activate Article 4 [of the North Atlantic Treaty]," Georgiev stressed.

According to him, the Black Sea region is on the brink of war and the alliance is taking measures by strengthening its response to such provocations. The Minister underlined that there are no grounds for activating Article 5, nor for statements that Article 4 is a preparation for Article 5. "Of course, the allies are in constant communication with each other because with a country like Russia, which has placed provocation and military force on an absolute pedestal in its actions, we must react and monitor very strictly," he said.

"Sending our troops to Ukraine has never been on the agenda," said the Foreign Minister. "The most important condition is achieving lasting peace, which is a guarantee for any presence in Ukraine. I want to dispel speculation that Bulgaria will do something that is contrary to the decisions of the National Assembly or its interests as a sovereign state," the Georgiev emphasized.

"There are many risks when we are faced with such an aggressive neighbor, but conflicts around the world have also intensified, whether in the form of economic clashes or military conflicts. If we want a secure future, we must make these joint efforts now to ward off any possibility of aggression being directed at us in the future," the Minister said. 

"We are extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and we have repeatedly called for both a de-escalation of tensions and the immediate release of hostages," Georgiev commented, adding that Hamas' terror on October 7, 2023, was the starting point in the conflict. He recalled that Bulgaria recognised the State of Palestine back in 1988. "For us, the two-state principle has been valid ever since," he stressed.

The efforts that Bulgaria is making systematically, the fulfillment of most of the technical requirements, the strategic dialogue, and the proximity to the 3% rejection rate requirement, which this year is 6.2%, give reason to believe that US visas for Bulgarians will be abolished by the end of this Government's term, the Foreign Minister also said.

He also commented on BSP Chair and Deputy Prime Minsiter Atanas Zafirov's visit to China. "The foreign minister will certainly not approve the presence of the deputy prime minister there, but the foreign minister could not comment on the presence of a party leader," he said.

Regarding the requested resignation of Interior Minister Daniel Mitov over the incident in Ruse, Georgi Georgiev said that it is very disturbing that Mitov's resignation is being sought because he defended a law enforcement officer.

The coalition is extremely stable, functioning well, and the State is stable, said Georgiev.