January 7 (BTA) - Addressing an extraordinary virtual meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on Friday, Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Irena Dimitrova stressed that Russia needs to take measures for de-escalation of tensions, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

The Allies' chief diplomats discussed Russia's military build-up in and around Ukraine and broader European security issues.

"The forthcoming meetings with Russia in various formats, including the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council on January 12, 2022, are steps in the right direction," Dimitrova pointed out.

She said further that there cannot be any compromise with the fundamental principles and documents regarding European security. The Deputy Foreign Minister also reaffirmed the key importance of unity and solidarity in the Alliance, including through implementation of all measures to strengthen collective defence and deterrence along NATO's eastern flank