site.btaPM Zhelyazkov Attends Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa

Addressing the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said, “Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine has been going on for 1,200 days now, and the Ukrainian people's brave fight to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity continues. There is no European country, with the exception of Belarus - regardless of whether it is a member of the European Union or NATO - that does not support Ukraine's efforts in this just struggle for the Ukrainian people. We are united and strong, standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine.” Zhelyazkov was quoted by the government press service.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister was adamant that a ceasefire is a prerequisite for starting talks on the terms of peace and, subsequently, on the restoration of Ukraine.

Zhelyazkov highlighted the importance of European defence capabilities and their deterrent potential. According to him, they have been identified as a priority issue for both the EU as a whole and for each individual member state. 

Another focus of Wednesday's summit was the accession of Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkan countries to the European Union. He reiterated that the fulfilment of all the criteria for EU membership is a prerequisite for the start of the negotiation process. The Prime Minister specifically highlighted the importance of the attitude towards national minorities in the context of European values. “For us, as a European Union country with the largest Bulgarian national minority in Ukraine, the state's attitude towards our compatriots in all aspects of their inclusion in political, economic and social life, including the reconstruction of Ukraine, is extremely important,” Prime Minister Zhelyazkov added. He was adamant that the political will in Ukraine and the readiness of the Ukrainian people to share common European values are evident.