During the first plenary session, the ministers discussed the EU’s new Strategic Approach to the Black Sea, which reflects the region’s importance for Europe’s security, stability and prosperity.

According to Minister Georgiev, security, stability and connectivity in the Black Sea region are in the interest not only of Bulgaria and the coastal states, but equally of the EU as a whole.

The second part of the meeting focused on the Connectivity Programme, which aims to unlock the potential of the Black Sea region as a bridge between Europe and Central Asia through transport, energy and digital links, also involving the Western Balkans, the ministry noted.

Bulgaria supports the development of sustainable links between the EU, the Eastern Partnership countries, Turkiye and the states of Central Asia, as well as the expansion of infrastructure and transport corridors that are important for Ukraine’s recovery, the Foreign Minister said.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday, Georgiev said Bulgaria would allow an aircraft carrying Vladimir Putin to pass through its airspace to facilitate a planned meeting between the Russian leader and US President Donald Trump in Budapest later this month.