The facts surrounding the incidents involving two ships in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone point to an escalation and expansion of the conflict into the Black Sea, increasing the risks for Bulgaria, Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova said in an interview with Bulgarian National Television on Saturday.
This was not an attack against Bulgaria, as the incidents did not occur on Bulgarian territory or in Bulgarian territorial waters, but hostilities in the immediate vicinity of the country’s borders pose a risk to it, Petrova said.
She said Bulgaria had received expressions of solidarity from its allies and that contacts were continuing through both security services and diplomatic channels. The country is ready to receive further information and assistance. The issue could also be discussed at Monday’s meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, she added.
Asked whether Bulgaria might invoke Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which provides for consultations among allies when one of them considers its territorial integrity, political independence or security to be threatened, Petrova said the necessary discussions had effectively taken place in the days following the incidents, regardless of whether the procedure had been formally invoked.
Bulgaria can expect support from its European partners in ensuring security in the Black Sea, the Foreign Minister said. It is important for the issue to be addressed at EU and NATO level, rather than solely as a national matter, she added. Petrova also stressed the need to seek solutions to end attacks on commercial shipping. A lasting solution would require peace and genuine negotiations, she said.
Petrova noted that the Foreign Ministry had not received information from Ukraine providing evidence concerning the incidents involving the two ships, nor had Bulgaria provided Ukraine with information confirming the circumstances surrounding the incidents, she said.
Petrova also commented on other issues of current relevance.
On the future of the Lukoil Neftohim Burgas refinery, Petrova said it was important for the facility to continue operating and for Bulgaria to have a role in ensuring its future operations. Any potential sale would require approval from the Russian side, as well as an investor with sufficient financial resources.
Commenting on US President Donald Trump’s announced deal involving Russian diesel, Petrova said economic relations alone would not bring peace to Ukraine. Economic ties could serve certain interests, but other conditions were also necessary to end hostilities, she said. It remains to be seen whether the deal would lead to lower fuel prices, as no such effect has been observed so far, she added.
Petrova said the possibility of supplying gas from Bulgaria to Ukraine via Turkiye was under discussion. This would depend on an agreement between the companies concerned, Bulgaria’s Bulgartransgaz and Ukraine’s Naftogaz, as well as the availability of sufficient gas volumes for transit. She expressed hope that the two sides would reach an agreement, noting that the matter involved commercial relations.
Bulgaria will host a summit focusing on the Middle Corridor next spring. Preparations are being carried out jointly with the European Commission, with the aim of ensuring that the forum produces not only political messages but also concrete investment projects and decisions on their financing, Petrova said.
European funding could attract further investment, while the development of the Middle Corridor is important for diversifying trade links and establishing Bulgaria as a gateway to Europe, she said. The Transport Ministry has presented a plan identifying priority connectivity infrastructure projects, while energy projects are also under discussion. Bulgaria is well advanced in its preparations for the meeting, with organizational details yet to be finalized, Petrova added.
On relations with the Republic of North Macedonia, Petrova said Bulgaria remained open to dialogue but expected commitments already made to be fulfilled. Trust is built through actions, not words, she said. Ensuring the equal rights of Bulgarians in the Republic of North Macedonia remains a key priority for Bulgaria, she added, warning that an escalation of tensions could worsen conditions for them.
Asked about a proposal for NATO to mediate between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, the Foreign Minister said she was unaware of any such initiative. Bulgaria’s position remains unchanged, and Corridor VIII is an important project whose implementation requires political will, she added.
Bulgaria is working to send a medical team to examine Iva Mihaylova in the Republic of North Macedonia, said Petrova. Sofia has confirmed through diplomatic channels its readiness to send Bulgarian doctors to Kocani or Skopje and efforts are under way to arrange the visit in the coming days, the Foreign Minister said. The examination would allow an objective assessment of Mihaylova’s condition, although it would not in itself resolve the question of her treatment, the minister said.
On October 8, Petrova met with her counterpart from North Macedonia, Timco Mucunski on the sidelines of the International Ministerial Conference on Corridor VIII in Sofia. The two discussed, among other things, the issue of Iva Mihaylova’s medical treatment. “It is good news that we received confirmation from North Macedonia that they are willing to accept our doctors, but it is important that this leads to treatment as soon as possible,” said Petrova.
Mihaylova, a citizen of both Bulgaria and North Macedonia, is standing trial in Kocani over a road accident in October 2025 in which one person died and several others, including Mihaylova, were injured. Her identity documents were seized after the accident, preventing her from travelling to Bulgaria for treatment of her spinal injuries.
Regarding Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s meeting with Kyrylo Budanov, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Chief of Staff, Petrova said she could not comment on what had been discussed, as that was a matter for the Prime Minister. The Foreign Ministry was not involved in organizing the meeting. What matters is that dialogue took place, she said.
The agreement with Greece on the return of the remains of Tsar Samuel concerned exclusively cultural and historical heritage and was not linked to other bilateral matters, the Foreign Minister said. She described the arrangement as a success for Bulgarian diplomacy, highlighting the work of Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Greece Valentin Poryazov and Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s personal involvement.
Incidents Involving Two Ships in Bulgaria’s Economic Zone Point to Conflict Spreading into Black Sea – Foreign Minister 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-10 18:55:00
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