The region of Southeast Europe is the strategic bridge which connects Europe and Asia and may achieve a lot more to encourage the trade exchange between the two continents. This is what President Rosen Plevneliev said in his statement at the first session devoted to stimulating the economic cooperation within the framework of the 10th Europe-Asia (ASEM) summit which is held in Milan. At the forum the President emphasized that today the East European countries are not separated by “iron curtains”, but share a common vision for their European future and work to ensure connectivity of their transport, railway and energy systems.
Bulgaria has the excellent reputation of a reliable partner in Asia and develops fruitful cooperation with many countries on the continent, the President further said and recalled that in the recent past thousands of youths from Asia received their university degrees and worked in our country. “Bulgarian products are traditionally well received in Asian markets and today we are deservedly popular as the country of roses, the most delicious yogurt and as producers of healthy food,” the Head of State further said.
Rosen Plevneliev emphasized that with its strategic location in South East Europe, Bulgaria is a gateway to Europe and could become a transit hub for Asian goods. “As an EU member-state, my country offers one of the most favorable economic conditions to foreign investors – low production costs, qualified working force, free access to the EU market,” the President said and emphasized that many Asian companies have already benefited from settling down in Bulgaria and the region.
Bulgaria is one of the co-organizers of the ASEM Sustainable Development Dialogue seminars aimed at sharing good practices and initiatives between the countries in the Danube and Mekong river basins, the President said and voiced Bulgaria’s resolution to expand the cooperation. “We are ready to host one of the ASEM Seminars on Human Rights,” the President further said.
The EU - ASEAN Dialogue on Connectivity is a good example of exchanging experience and good practices, the Head of State said in his statement. Rosen Pleveneliev was adamant that it is in our best interest to further develop our transport connections, which stimulate trade exchange. “In our globalized world, European and Asian economies are closely interconnected and Asia is a strategic economic partner for Europe,” the President said. We represent together more than 50% of global GDP and more than 60% of the world population.
The Head of State emphasized that under conditions of growing interdependence the challenges the individual countries are facing are common and require pooling efforts to address them. In the President’s words, the current situation in Europe has reminded us how vulnerable we are in terms of energy security and Asia can offer alternative sources and routes for energy supply. “Initiatives like the Europe-Asia dialogue are the best way forward,” President Plevneliev further said.
In his statement, the Head of State welcomed Croatia and Kazakhstan to ASEM.