Kidnapped Bulgarian Sailors Negotiations in Somalia Drag On

Deputy Foreign Minister, Milen Keremedchiev, said Friday that negations for the kidnapped Bulgarian sailors in Somalia were going on, but concrete results were not to be expected anytime soon. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

The negotiations for the kidnapped Bulgarian sailors in Somalia are expected to last at least one month from now.

The information was reported Friday by the Deputy Foreign Minister, Milen Keremedchiev.

Keremedchiev said that negations were held nonstop, including during weekends and holidays, but, unfortunately as he said, he did not expect concrete results anytime soon.

Keremedchiev confirmed previous reports that the 16 Bulgarian sailors, held hostage on board the "Malaspina Castle" ship, are alive and well. They call their families regularly, have food and water and are allowed to walk unsupervised on the ship's deck, the Deputy Foreign Minister reported.

The "Malaspina Castle" sailors were kidnapped on April 6.