site.btaPM Zhelyazkov Participates in Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa, Talks with President Zelenskyy

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov Wednesday attended the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa and met wit President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Addressing the participants, Zhelyazkov said, as quoted by the government information service: “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, except 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.” 

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.” He was adamant that the political will in Ukraine and the readiness of the Ukrainian people to share common European values are evident.

The key topic during Zhelyazkov's meeting with Zelenskyy was Ukraine's post-war reconstruction and Bulgaria's participation in it. Zhelyazkov emphasized Bulgaria's potential in areas such as energy, trade, shipping and infrastructure, especially in the context of the Greek Prime Minister's proposal for a rail connection between Alexandroupolis and Odesa.

Zhelyazkov and Zelenskyy also discussed the accession of Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkan countries to the European Union. The issue of the status, rights and opportunities of the Bulgarian national minority in Ukraine was also addressed.

On Telegram, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he discussed matters important to both countries with the Bulgarian Prime Minister. The two discussed bilateral relations, security in the Black Sea region, and further cooperation in the energy sector. "We also addressed our European integration," Zelenskyy said.

"I truly value the clear support for Ukraine on our path to the EU. We have fulfilled the necessary conditions and expect the opening of the negotiating clusters in the near future. I am also grateful for the defense assistance and all the aid packages - already eleven. This is real support for our people," the Ukrainian President said.

Ahead of the Summit, Zhelyazkov, Zelenskyy and leaders from Southeast Europe laid flowers at the Alley of Heroes in Odesa, paying tribute to those who have fallen in war, the Council of Ministers said in a press release. President Zelenskyy personally welcomed each of the leaders during the flower-laying ceremony.

Besides Zhelyazkov and Zelenskyy, attending were Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Romanian President Nicusor Dan, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon, Albanian Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali, and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning of the Republic of North Macedonia Izet Mexhiti.