NATO and the EU have a common interest in stability in the Balkans, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said after the two-day meeting of Foreign Ministers of member states of the Alliance. He announced that Macedonia's accession negotiations are now under way. NATO also expects to receive Bosnia and Herzegovina's first plan for preparation for NATO membership. Stoltenberg urged Serbia and Kosovo to refrain from mutual provocations.

At the forum Bulgaria was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva. Minister Zaharieva said NATO foreign ministers have confirmed the importance of the Western Balkans to the Alliance as a whole. She also pointed out that the topic of NATO actions in the Black Sea Pact following tensions between Russia and Ukraine had not been discussed. "However, after the Crimean annexation, security in the Black Sea is disturbed and the Allies observe the situation and make assessments," Zaharieva said.