''A Bulgarian ship was detained on suspicion of damaging a telecommunications cable under the Baltic Sea between the Latvian city of Ventspils and the Swedish island of Gotland. An investigation is currently underway in Sweden. We do not have information about the progress of the investigation. The important thing is that the crew members have not been detained. There have been no arrests or charges pressed'', Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev said.

''A Bulgarian consul is already on-site. We are awaiting permission for him to board the ship and speak with the sailors. They are free to disembark and return to the ship, communicate with their families. No restrictive actions are being taken against them. If consular assistance is needed, we are ready to provide it'', Minister Georgiev added.

''As an EU and NATO member, Bulgaria condemns sabotage or diversions harmful to a partner country. Currently, the information is limited, but when there is news, we will announce it'', Minister Georgiev went on to say.

• Navibulgar is conducting its own investigation into the case involving the Bulgarian ship Vezhen

• Sweden seizes Bulgarian ship sailing under Maltese flag