SOFIA, June 22 (MENA) - Efforts by the international community must be based on international law and focused on finding a path to de-escalation and bringing all sides to the negotiating table, Bulgaria's National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova told journalists in Hisarya town, commenting on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

Kiselova stressed that Bulgaria’s consistent position in any military conflict is to call for the swift cessation of hostilities and a move toward dialogue, as such conflicts result in serious damage to infrastructure and the loss of innocent lives, the Bulgarian News Agency reported on Sunday.

She added that there are international formats available through which negotiations could be initiated.

“With the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, all Bulgarian citizens who expressed a wish to return home have received support,” Kiselova added. She also reiterated the Foreign Ministry's advisory against travel to the region.

Earlier on Sunday, the Bulgarian government released a statement confirming that national security services are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and are providing regular updates to Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.

According to the Bulgarian Council of Ministers’ press office, coordination units are actively carrying out their tasks, and at present, there is no immediate threat to Bulgaria’s security.

In a separate statement, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev urged the permanent members of the UN Security Council to find a path to constructive dialogue to avert the threat of a global catastrophe. (MENA)

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