Bulgarian senior officials actively participated this week in the formation of international positions about what is happening in Ukraine. At the second extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers on the subject Minister Kristian Vigenin confirmed Sofia’s position that the Union must support the preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. Prime Minister Oresharski confirmed the same position at the level of State and Government senior officials at the European Council. Against the background of the proposal of the parliament in Crimea that Russia should take proceedings for the entry of the peninsula within its territory, Sofia’s position was strong support for the Ukrainian side in the dispute. At the same time, Sofia stuck to the view that sanctions against Russia would not be good for anyone in the EU.

The Bulgarian side believes that the most important thing now is to normalize the situation, because it is now a threat to security in the region. Government positions left an impression of moderation and the tone with which the Prime Minister Oresharski commented things – also an impression of optimism. According to Prime Minister Oresharski, unresolved issues about the boundaries of the former Soviet Union exist also elsewhere, but they do not interfere with the normal development of the countries. Sofia is of the opinion that the dispute should be resolved directly between the main parties in it, and the EU should only boost their dialogue, without interfering.

Oresharsky believes that at least regarding the main problems relatively quick decisions are possible. In the context of the general discussion on the situation in Ukraine Bulgaria was pursuing a specific goal - to take account of any risks to the thousands of ethnic Bulgarians, most of whom live exactly in the hottest parts of the country. This was the goal of the Foreign Minister’s two-day visit to Kiev and Odessa. There the Minister asserted the understanding that the involvement of all communities to aspirations for democracy and European future would provide Ukraine security, stability and European perspective. After the visit, he expressed confidence that the Ukrainian government will protect the rights of all minorities in the country.