Bulgaria will push for joint EU action on Black Sea security and for an end to attacks on merchant ships, foreign minister Velislava Petrova said in Luxembourg. She was speaking at a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the foreign ministry press office said. See our original report: Bulgaria asks EU and NATO for help investigating attack on ships.
Petrova strongly condemned the strikes on merchant ships in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. Bulgaria is ready to work with its partners to establish the facts of the case.
Earlier in the day, she told reporters that countries should work towards a moratorium on such strikes and that a political decision is needed to stop them. She said the moratorium concerns all countries in the region, while security in the Black Sea, which is threatened by Russia's war against Ukraine, concerns all EU states.
Petrova said recent events show the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine is escalating and spreading to the Black Sea region. The strikes pose serious risks to shipping, she said, so active diplomatic efforts are needed to restore the freedom and safety of sea transport.
On sanctions, she called for coordinated action with G7 partners. She said unilateral steps could undermine the effectiveness of joint efforts.
Russia's war against Ukraine was among the topics discussed. Moscow began it with a full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ministers talked about strengthening air defence, emergency repairs to energy facilities and humanitarian aid before winter. They also discussed how to coordinate efforts to restore Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea.
Petrova said the EU must take a more active role in the future peace process and stay united against hybrid and cyber threats.
In the debate on enlargement and European security, ministers spoke about what candidate countries and potential candidates contribute to the EU's security and defence. Petrova confirmed Bulgaria's support for greater EU involvement with the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova. She said enlargement must be based on merit, real progress on reforms, respect for the criteria and the commitments countries have made.
The minister also said the process needs clear political will and a consistent pro-European approach, and that anti-European rhetoric and hate speech are unacceptable.
The debate on the Middle East covered the situation in the region, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, and security in the Red Sea.
Petrova said Bulgaria can help energy security in the region and the diversification of supplies through its gas transmission network.
She said she hopes the EU's next multi-year budget will include funding for a Bulgarian-Romanian Black Sea security centre.