site.btaForeign Minister in London: Bulgaria, UK Have Common Priorities for Western Balkans

During his one-day working visit to the UK on Monday, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev held meetings in London with Karen Pierce, the UK’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, and with members of the newly formed Friendship Group with Bulgaria in the British Parliament, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry reported.

During the talks, it was confirmed that Bulgaria and the UK share common priorities for the sustainable stability and EU prospects of the Western Balkan countries. Minister Georgiev said that European integration is the only viable path to peace and prosperity in the region. "Bulgaria remains among the most active supporters of the enhanced commitment to the Western Balkans, especially in the context of the new geopolitical reality after the Russian aggression against Ukraine," he underscored.

He expressed concern about the deepening vulnerabilities in the region and stressed that the principle of own merit remains fundamental to the integration process: “Accelerating European integration cannot be at the expense of this principle,” he added.

During his meeting in the British Parliament, at the invitation of Friendship Group with Bulgaria head James Asser and deputy head Lord Philip Smith, Minister Georgiev reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relations and underscored the importance of the bilateral agreement of October 2023. He also noted the importance of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership. He stressed the need for an active parliamentary dialogue and expressed his gratitude for the support to the Bulgarian community in the UK, the fifth largest in the country.

Home affairs issues, including the fight against illegal migration and organised crime, were also discussed. "We highly appreciate the cooperation with the UK and its contribution to capacity building through training and provision of specialised equipment," Minister Georgiev said.