In the Balkans, we need to be a little more measured in our speech, have better relations with our neighbors and think more before we talk. This is what Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva said in an interview with Nova TV. She commented that after the anti-Bulgarian and racist speech of Serbian professor Dragan Simeunovic, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry called for an explanation from Serbian ambassador to Bulgaria, Željko Jović and an apology followed.

Minister Zaharieva believes that possible resignation of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, after a failed visit to Moscow, was not a topic of discussion. "Borrell must not be ousted because that would increase tensions," the minister said after 71 MEPs called for Borrell's resignation.