site.btaVP Iotova Commends Foreign Ministry Coordination Centre for Israel Evacuation

Vice President Iliana Iotova congratulated the coordination centre at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its role in evacuating Bulgarians from Israel, speaking to journalists at the Sveti Vlas resort on Wednesday. 

She noted that, unlike many countries with far longer experience in the European Union, the centre managed to evacuate not only a visiting film crew, but also other citizens, some of whom were not Bulgarian nationals.

Iotova added that there are many people with dual citizenship and Bulgarian documents in Israel. If anyone else wishes to leave the country, they will seek assistance from the embassy and other Bulgarian institutions. “Let us leave the diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to do their work, because they are exceptionally skilled and have shown they can achieve good results,” Iotova said.

Asked whether the Consultative Council for National Security should be convened due to the situation in the Middle East, Iotova replied that this decision lies with the president, depending on circumstances. She added that he, together with the entire team, is following all developments very carefully.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assisted Bulgarians leaving Iran and is arranging evacuations from Israel, with 89 Bulgarians among 148 people arriving in Sofia on Wednesday. The ministry urges nationals in affected areas to stay in touch with embassies and register online.