Bulgaria - Meeting between Catherine Colonna and her Bulgarian counterpart, Mariya Gabriel (7 December 2023)

On December 7, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna hosted the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mariya Gabriel.

In the lead-up to the December gatherings of the Foreign Affairs Council and the European Council, this meeting was an opportunity to recall our countries’ shared determination to offer Ukraine our unwavering support in every area and over the long term. The Ministers also discussed the enlargement of the European Union, as well as the reforms and the agenda that the EU must put in place in preparation for enlargement. Their conversation also covered the situation in Israel and Gaza, efforts to redefine the EU’s projects in the Sahel, and the situation in the Caucasus.

The Minister recalled the support that France provides to both Bulgaria and Romania with a view to their joining the Schengen area.

Lastly, regarding bilateral relations, the meeting was a chance to talk about cooperation in different areas of shared interest, namely with regard to civilian nuclear power.