We should not allow the kidnap case to cast a shadow over the traditionally good relations between Bulgaria, Iraq and the Arab world, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy said in an interview for Al-Jazeera TV.
In his words this has been a fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation, which Bulgaria should preserve at all costs.
Minister Passy stressed that the two Bulgarians, held hostages by radical Iraqi militants, are not responsible for the official policy of the government.
Qatar-based TV station aired a video footage, showing two Bulgarian drivers and their kidnappers, the latest reading an ultimatum to US militaries in Iraq to release all Iraqi prisoners.
The Iraqi insurgents group, loyal to militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, threatened Friday to execute the two Bulgarian hostages if the U.S. military did not release all Iraqi detainees within 24 hours.
The deadline given by the insurgents expired at 11p.m. Bulgarian time on Friday.
Unconfirmed reports say the Bulgarians are alive.