Bulgaria did back the European Union's common statement on Ukraine, the European Commission has confirmed, ending weeks of conflicting accounts from Bulgarian institutions about the country's position.

The clarification came in a written response dated 6 November from European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas to questions from Bulgarian MEPs Radan Kanev of the European People's Party and Democratic Bulgaria, and Nikola Minchev and Hristo Petrov of Renew Europe. Ms Kallas presented the statement in New York on 23 September, ahead of a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, on behalf of the European Union, its 27 member states and partner countries.

The declaration called on Russia to end its aggression, agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and enter negotiations aimed at a just and lasting peace. It also stressed the importance of protecting commercial shipping and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.

The Commission's answer followed a public disagreement in Sofia in September. The Foreign Ministry confirmed at the time that Bulgaria had endorsed the joint declaration, but President Iliana Iotova distanced herself from it, saying proposals submitted by the Bulgarian side to amend the text had not been accepted. The row later reached parliament, where Democratic Bulgaria demanded a hearing with the foreign minister.

The three MEPs asked the Commission to clarify the official channel through which Bulgaria had confirmed its support, and whether the Bulgarian authorities had submitted reservations or proposed amendments during drafting. Ms Kallas confirmed Bulgaria's participation in the common position but referred questions about how it was coordinated, and whether objections or amendments were submitted, to the competent Bulgarian authorities.

Read the full report from Bytes Europe.