Bulgarian FM Reports 'Substantial Progress' in Burgas Investigation

Bulgarian security services have made "substantial progress" in the Burgas bus bombing investigation, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov has stated.

In an interview for NOW Lebanon, Mladenov has declared that there would be no accusations made until the investigation was completed.

"We do not want to jump the gun and point the finger because there has been too much speculation in the press, and [some] governments have already made statements," he said/

"[The security services] need the time and space to finish their work professionally and...we will not hide what we find," the Bulgarian Foreign Minister added.

On the issue of Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati's recent visit to the Bulgarian capital, Mladenov has elaborated on the ties between his country and Lebanon.

"[Miqati's visit] was to highlight that we have a strong relationship with Lebanon, not just economically but politically," he said, as cited by NOW.

Mladenov has added that Bulgaria is committed to Lebanon's security and has been calling upon the European Union to support Lebanon's institutions, push for national dialogue and try to alleviate the economic problems in the north of Lebanon.

According to Mladenov, the best way to maintain stability and security in Lebanon is for Beirut to stay out of the crisis in neighboring Syria.