Sofia, June 10 (BTA) - The caretaker Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Svetlan Stoev, presented the priorities of Bulgaria's
foreign policy to the diplomatic corps here Thursday, thanking
the representatives of 83 countries and international
organizations for their efforts and contribution to deepening
cooperation with Bulgaria in all areas of mutual interest, the
Ministry reported on Thursday.

Stoev singled out two main priorities in his work as minister:
organizing the early elections abroad and achieving Bulgaria's
foreign policy goals that have remained unchanged.

The top priorities of Bulgaria's foreign policy are still
related to this country's aspiration to enter the euro zone and
the Schengen Area, and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation
 and Development (OECD).

Another important matter for Bulgaria is the EU integration of
the Western Balkan countries.

Stoev reconfirmed Bulgaria's steadfast position with regard to
North Macedonia's European perspective, underscoring that over
the recent years Bulgaria has expressed concerns about the
implementation of the bilateral Treaty of Friendship,
Goodneighbourliness and Cooperation of 2017, and these concerns
must be reflected in North Macedonia's EU negotiation framework.
 

He said that Bulgaria will continue to be an active, reliable
and predictable ally in NATO and the EU.
  
Regarding the upcoming summit in Sofia of the Three Seas
Initiative, Minister Stoev said that this country's ambition is
to organize a successful and productive meeting, and a business
forum that will attract numerous State agencies, development
banks, local companies and private investors. "We also expect
high-level participation from the European Commission, the US,
the International Monetary Fund and other partners," The
Bulgarian Foreign Minister said.

He also underscored Bulgaria's desire for further strengthening
of its cooperation with the countries of the Americas, based on
shared values in key areas.

In its relations with Russia, Bulgaria "is led by its national
interests and its international commitments and obligations as a
 member of the EU and NATO," Minister Stoev said, adding that
bilateral cooperation with Russia can be improved on the basis
of a political dialogue on an equal footing.

Minister Stoev pointed out that the countries of the Eastern
Partnership remain a major priority in the foreign policy of
Bulgaria and it is among the most active supporters of the
initiative.
 
Stoev commended the traditionally friendly relations between
Bulgaria and the countries of the Middle East and Africa, based
on mutual respect and good bilateral cooperation.

With regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Stoev said that
 diplomacy is the best approach to establishing peace.

Other priorities in Bulgaria's foreign policy presented by the
Minister were the partnership with the countries of the
Asia-Pacific region, and the development of cooperation, both on
 bilateral and EU levels.
NV/MT