Bulgarian Parties Jointly Oppose Crimean Secession

After a meeting of the country's Council for National Security, President Rosen Plevenliev said Bulgaria would act as a member of the EU and NATO, and support Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Bulgaria "deems the March 16 referendum in Crimea illegitimate, as it is a violation of international law and cannot be recognized", President Plevneliev said, referring to the recent referendum on separating from Ukraine and joining Russia.

According to Plevneliev, Bulgaria backs the signing of the political part of the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine, as well as upcoming adoption of the economic part, after presidential elections are held in Ukraine on May 25.

The ultra-nationalist Ataka party is the only major political player in Bulgaria that has refused to back the joint position of the parties on the Crimea crisis.

Ataka's leader, Volen Siderov, left the meeting to take part in a demonstration organized by his party, demanding recognition of the Crimean referendum on joining Russia.