Bulgaria has been consistent in its support for Ukraine’s right to self-defence: Prime minister

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Bulgaria has remained unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s self-defence against Russian aggression and its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said Tuesday.

Zhelyazkov made the remarks in a written reply to lawmakers, who asked him when Bulgaria will sign a bilateral agreement on security cooperation with Ukraine, state-run BTA news reported.

"Our country is committed to continue its comprehensive support to Ukraine -- political, military, humanitarian, diplomatic, reconstruction support -- in line with the collective decisions of the EU and NATO,” he said in response.

“We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, who defend not only their territory but also our shared values, and we are convinced that a strong, independent and democratic Ukraine is vital for the security and stability of Europe,” he added.

Zhelyazkov said, however, that bilateral agreements of this kind should also address aspects important for bilateral relations, such as the role of the large Bulgarian community in Ukraine, which is a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and the two peoples.

He added that the government is analyzing all the aspects that should be present in such a document in order to guarantee that the text in it is up to date and meets the needs of both Ukraine and Bulgaria.

In December last year, then-caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev said he would not sign a security cooperation agreement with Ukraine without the support of parliament and that it was best for such an agreement to be approved by a regular government.