Prime Minister Kiril Petkov met early Thursday with European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, discussing the war in Ukraine and its effects on regional countries, MIA reports from Sofia.

Petkov briefed Varhelyi on the outcome of the meeting of NATO heads of government from Southeast Europe, held earlier in the week at the Bulgarian PM’s initiative. Interlocutors also referred to the bilateral talks with the Republic of North Macedonia.

“The government in Sofia will defend Bulgaria’s positions and has seen, for the first time, serious support in the European Union due to the new approach towards Skopje,” said Petkov.