26.02.2024
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal opened the talks with an expression of gratitude to the Bulgarian government and to all Bulgarians. He thanked for the military assistance, for the support for the fight against the aggressor, by, inter alia, the imposition of sanctions and in particular, for the asylum granted to the refugees from his war-stricken country.
For his part, Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov thanked the Ukrainian people and its leaders for demonstrating to the world what it is to fight for ideals. “It is important to bring up the subject of justice into our bilateral talks as it must be clear that in the 21st century any aggressor will clash with international resistance,” Bulgaria’s Prime Minister said.
The two Prime Ministers agreed that Russia and its leadership bear the sole responsibility for this war, for the grave crimes committed against humanity and for its global economic consequences and appealed for culpability.
Minister of Justice Atanas Slavov also voiced Bulgaria’s determination to be one of the countries to perform in the dispensation of justice after Russia’s criminal war against Ukraine. He said that Bulgaria is drafting amendments to the Criminal Code to incorporate the crime “aggression” and thus prosecute the Russian leaders and army commanders. Bulgaria will join the Eurojust joint investigating team and proceed with its own investigation into war crimes in Ukraine, drawing inter alia, on evidence and testimony of Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria.
In Kyiv Nikolai Denkov and Denys Shmyhal signed a statement on key aspects of bilateral cooperation and discussed strategic issues of the common security and support for Ukraine. A memorandum of cooperation was signed between the state-owned company Terem and the Ukrainian company for military defense production.
“I want to express my great respect for the work and reforms that your government undertakes in the midst of a terrible war,” said Acad. Nikolai Denkov to Denys Shmyhal. He assured that for the sake of the Ukrainian people, of peace in Europe and of the security of Bulgaria itself and for the triumph of international law and order, Bulgaria will support Ukraine for as long as it is needed.
“We support the steps taken by the EU to increase pressure on Russia to limit its capability to fight the war. We will continue to work together with other states to develop an international mechanism to compensate the victims of the Russian aggression,” Acad. Denkov said. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Shmyhal pointed out that today Ukraine and Bulgaria took yet another step to promote their partner relations. “We will fight together against the Russian aggression. Bulgaria holds a lead position in the implementation of the Peace Formula, in particular in the fields of the environment, energy, food and recovery,” Denys Shmyhal said.
The Ministries of Justice of Bulgaria and Ukraine are ready to engage in active cooperation in the context of the international coalition to support the return of Ukrainian children who have been illegally deported and forcibly displaced to Russia. Bulgaria remains actively committed to the Ukraine Peace Formula as a co-chair in the implementation of point 8 “Protection of the Environment” and a participant in point 2 „Food Security”, point 3 “Energy Security” and point 7 „Justice”.
Bulgaria will support Ukraine on the path to its future integration into the EU and NATO and stands ready to share its experience and expertise in the negotiation process with the European Union and in effecting the reforms needed in the preparation for membership in the Alliance.
The two countries continue their cooperation for the restoration of security in the Black Sea region. Sofia will host the Second Black Sea Security Conference of the International Crimean Platform to be held in April 2024. Bulgaria and Ukraine will continue their joint efforts to guarantee global food security and provide transit lanes for the exports of Ukrainian agricultural produce.
The Denkov-Shmyhal discussion placed an emphasis on military technical cooperation, promotion of relations in the energy sector and the implementation of bilateral projects and initiatives in the field of environmental protection.
“We remain committed to the processes of rebuilding Ukraine and dedicated to the efforts of your government and the entire Ukrainian people,” Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov said in conclusion.
