site.btaForeign Ministry Establishes Coordination Centre to Deal with Worsening Situation in Middle East

The Foreign Ministry established a Coordination Centre in connection with the worsening situation in the Middle East, the ministry said on Saturday.

The centre aims to monitor the development of the situation in real time, to ensure constant contact with the diplomatic and consular representations of Bulgaria in the region, as well as to coordinate actions with other competent institutions in order to guarantee the security of Bulgarian citizens. It was formed by order of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and under the personal leadership of Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev.

The Foreign Ministry is in constant contact with international partners and monitors all aspects of the situation, including possible risks to Bulgarian citizens and interests.

The ministry called on Bulgarian citizens in the affected areas to maintain contact with the nearest diplomatic mission of Bulgaria and to follow the instructions of the local authorities and the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry. A state of emergency has been declared in the country, and the airspace is currently closed, making it impossible to leave Israel by air.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported a new missile attack from Iran against Israeli territory, as part of the ongoing exchange of strikes between the two countries in recent hours, media agencies reported earlier on Saturday. T

The Foreign Ministry recommended that Bulgarian citizens who are in countries in the affected region and need assistance contact the Foreign Ministry using one of the following communication channels:

Situation Centre Directorate 

Phone: +359 2 948 24 04; +359 2 971 38 56; +359 893 339 616

Fax: +359 2 870 71 37

E-mail: crisis@mfa.bg

Embassy of Bulgaria in Iran

24-hour phone line:+98 930 568 34 09

Embassy of Bulgaria in Israel

Phone: + 972 54 595 4379; +972 54 463 4003