America News Agency

According to a statement by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bulgaria's requests were accommodated during the negotiations on the European Union's 21st sanctions package.

The three individuals whose inclusion Bulgaria had objected to and whose listing had been planned were removed from the sanctions package after the European Commission and the Irish Presidency accepted the justifications submitted by the Bulgarian government.

Commenting after the meeting, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova emphasized that the outcome was an important indication of Bulgaria's position within the European Union.

Petrova stated: "This result demonstrates that the consistent protection of national interests does not lead to isolation; on the contrary, when it is based on consistency, predictability and clear justification, it confirms Bulgaria's equal place among its partners in the European Union."