Uutiset, 4.3.2010

Nickolay Mladenov, the new Foreign Minister of Bulgaria, thanked Finland for her support

Foreign Ministers Nickolay Mladenov and Alexander Stubb. Nickolay Mladenov, the new Foreign Minister of Bulgaria, visited Finland on 2–3 March at the initiation of Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb. Mladenov arrived on Tuesday evening. The official part of the visit started on Wednesday morning with the laying of a wreath at the monument commemorating the Battle of Gorni Dubnik, which is located in the courtyard of the Ministry of Defence. Soldiers of the Finnish Guard fought in the battle held there in 1877, during the Russo-Turkish War.

In addition to bilateral relations between Finland and Bulgaria, the foreign ministers discussed topical EU affairs, such as the external relations administration and enlargement of the EU.

During a press conference held at the Finnish Parliament, the ministers stressed their support for the European External Action Service and for Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is leading the work. “We both agree that Ashton is doing an excellent job,” Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb stated during the press conference.

The foreign minister also said that Finland support Bulgaria’s efforts to join the Schengen Agreement and to proceed towards the common currency.

Foreign Minister Mladenov thanked Foreign Minister Stubb and Finland for the support Bulgaria has received. “The economic criteria set as terms have helped Bulgaria accelerate the pace of reforms to combat crime and corruption,” he said. Mladenov concluded by thanking his hosts for their hospitality on Bulgaria’s National Day and Finland for the support Bulgaria received already in the 1800s.

During his visit Foreign Minister Mladenov also had meetings, for instance, with Minister of Defence Jyri Häkämies and Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors.