Bulgarian Parliament has adopted a declaration, backing the granting of EU candidate status to Georgia, the Georgian Foreign Ministry reported on Friday.

According to the Parliament’s press office, “the declaration firmly supports Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration, which is based on the historical choice of the Georgian people and will be an extra guarantee of the country’s security. Broad public support for Georgia’s geopolitical choices makes the country’s European integration uncontested.”

The declaration also decried the occupation of Georgian territories by Russia and reaffirmed Bulgaria’s unwavering support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. It underscored Georgia’s role as an important partner country in the South Caucasus and the Black Sea region.

The declaration was adopted during Georgian FM Ilia Darchiashvili’s visit to Sofia.

Thrilled to announce that the National Assembly of Bulgaria has adopted a declaration in favor of granting 🇬🇪 EU candidate status. Yet another bold demonstration of our friends’ support for 🇬🇪! It’s especially exciting that such an important decision was made during my visit to… pic.twitter.com/7zdwn3X5iG

— Ilia Darchiashvili (@iliadarch) October 13, 2023