Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova spent the first day of her visit to New York in a series of bilateral meetings. She is also participating in important international forums as part of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press center.
Petrova held individual talks with the Foreign Minister of Algeria Ahmed Attaf, the Foreign Minister of Georgia Maka Botschorishvili, and the Foreign Minister of Chile Francisco Pérez Mackenna. She also met with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sultan bin Saad Al Muraihi. The discussions focused on bilateral relations between Bulgaria and the respective countries, political and economic dialogue, as well as opportunities for closer cooperation.
During the meetings with representatives from Georgia and Qatar, special attention was given to the preparations for the Regional Connectivity Summit, which Bulgaria will host in 2027. The discussions also covered possibilities for building more secure and diverse transport, energy, and economic links between Europe, the Black Sea region, the South Caucasus, the Middle East, and Asia.
Minister Petrova also met with Sima Sami Bahous, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women. Bulgaria reaffirmed its support for the organization's effective, transparent, and results-oriented work. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that our country also stands behind the full participation of women in public and political life.
The Foreign Minister also spoke with global economic leaders at a meeting organized by the World Economic Forum. Petrova participated in an informal meeting of European Union foreign ministers in New York, which also included the foreign ministers of Australia, Japan, India, and South Korea. The discussion topics related to international security, the resilience of global supply chains, and the need for enhanced international cooperation in the face of increasing geopolitical fragmentation.
Starting September 22, general political debates will begin at the UN headquarters in New York as part of the 81st annual session of the organization's General Assembly. The Bulgarian delegation is led by President Iliyana Yotova, with Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova also as a member. The Bulgarian delegation's participation in accompanying events began on September 21.
Additionally, Petrova met with U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson, founder and long-time co-chair of the Congressional Friendship Group for Bulgaria in the U.S. House of Representatives. During the conversation, they addressed the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States, as well as cooperation in the fields of security and defense. They also discussed opportunities for more active political and economic dialogue between the two sides.