site.btaNeynsky Urges Return to Diplomacy at EU Foreign Affairs Council

On Sunday, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky took part in an extraordinary videoconference of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, at which the situation in the Middle East was discussed, the ministry’s press office reported on Monday.

The diplomats expressed deep concern over the escalation of military strikes in the region and their consequences for regional and European security. Strong support was voiced for the EU’s partners in the Persian Gulf following Iran’s strikes. The need to uphold the principles of international law and the UN Charter was reaffirmed. Emphasis was placed on the necessity of returning to the negotiating table and on Iran’s fulfilment of all its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The ministers exchanged information regarding diplomatic contacts held so far with countries in the Middle East and committed to continuing close coordination among themselves, including with regard to the security of European citizens and their evacuation.

In her remarks, Minister Neynsky stressed that the Middle East is now facing an entirely new situation, with potential negative consequences for both the region and Europe. It is necessary to convince Iran’s new leadership of the need to return to negotiations, to abandon its nuclear programme and ballistic missile development programme, and to cease its support for Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. Neynsky supported the holding of a joint meeting between the EU foreign ministers and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The Foreign Ministry stated in the press release that the number one priority remains the security of Bulgarian citizens in the region and the ongoing evacuation efforts.