French foreign minister visits Bulgaria amid drone attacks in Black Sea
- Jean-Noel Barrot expresses solidarity with Sofia, says Paris ready to consider requests for assistance
By Seyma Erkul Dayanc
ISTANBUL (AA) - French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot visited Bulgaria's Black Sea city of Varna on Saturday, expressing solidarity with Sofia following recent drone attacks targeting civilian vessels off the Bulgarian and Romanian coasts.
Barrot met his Bulgarian counterpart Velislava Petrova-Chamova and reaffirmed France's commitment to regional security, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
France stands ready to consider Bulgaria's requests for assistance, Barrot said.
He claimed the attacks were an illustration of the threat posed by Russia's war against Ukraine to the security of the EU and NATO.
The two ministers signed an updated roadmap for the strategic partnership between France and Bulgaria, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation at the European level.
They also discussed ways to expand economic cooperation, support for Ukraine, European security and efforts to strengthen European competitiveness.
Şeyma Erkul Dayanç