NEWS

Presidents of Bulgaria and Armenia: Promoting economic and investment cooperation should be a priority in bilateral relations

This country backs the development of relations between Armenia and the EU and the course of reforms, President Radev tells visiting Armenian President

The promotion of economic and investment cooperation and the potential for partnerships between the businesses of Bulgaria and Armenia was highlighted as a priority in bilateral relations by the Presidents of the two countries, Rumen Radev and Vahagn Khachaturian. In a statement to the media today, the two heads of State highlighted transport, innovation, high-tech, tourism, agriculture, education, science and culture as areas of reciprocal interest with prospects for deepening cooperation.  

The Armenian President is paying a state visit at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart. This is the first visit of an Armenian president to Bulgaria in 14 years and it takes place in the context of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Armenia, which is being celebrated this year.

The two presidents held a one-to-one session, followed by plenary talks between the official delegations. In the Coat of Arms Hall, Radev and Khachaturian signed a Joint Declaration on bilateral relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Bulgaria. In the presence of the two Presidents, a Protocol on the Establishment of an Armenian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Economy was signed by Gagik Makaryan and Vasil Velev, Chairmen of the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia and the Board of the Industrial Capital Association of Bulgaria, respectively.

The presidents of Bulgaria and Armenia stressed the need for institutional support to develop opportunities and bilateral contacts between the business communities of the two countries. It is important to develop our cooperation in transport and connectivity so as to facilitate the links between our citizens and businesses, Radev said. The two presidents noted the need to continue efforts to establish an air route between Yerevan and Sofia. President Radev expressed Bulgaria's support for the construction of the multimodal transport corridor connecting the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea.  This will boost not only the development of our economy, but will also ensure stability and security in the Black Sea region and the Caucasus, the Bulgarian President stressed, adding that without security and stability a development of investments and economic relations cannot be expected. Bulgaria is the friend that opened the door to Armenian products for the European Union market, Khachaturian said.

Radev expressed Bulgaria's support for the development of relations between Armenia and the EU and the course of reforms undertaken. The head of State pointed to the use of international mechanisms, including the EU's commitment, as a common position for the faster and lasting establishment of security, peace and stability in the region.

The two presidents highlighted the excellent bilateral relations of close friendship, trust and respect based on centuries-old historical, cultural and spiritual ties between the peoples of the two countries. The Armenian community in Bulgaria, whose role in our society we highly value, is not only a strong link between our countries, but also a symbol of solidarity, friendship and empathy, Radev said. The Bulgarian head of State expressed confidence that the two countries will further develop the skills and potential of young people from both countries and gave as an example the experience that Bulgaria has borrowed from the Tumo Centre for Creative Technologies in Yerevan in building innovative classrooms and STEM centres in Bulgarian schools.

President Khachaturian thanked the Bulgarian people for supporting the Armenian community in Bulgaria in preserving its cultural identity. I am grateful to the Bulgarian authorities for preserving the Armenian cultural heritage and for the continued support you provide to the Armenian community, the Armenian head of State said.

A declaration signed by the two Presidents today declares commitment to sustainable development and expansion of top-level dialogue in the sphere of economic cooperation, as well as within international organisations and formats. The sides express their readiness to strengthen and expand their cooperation in the framework of EU initiatives, including the Eastern Partnership, as well as in the context of the 2017 Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.