NEWS

 

 

The head of State conferred the Order of SS Cyril and Methodius on Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UNWTO, and Prof Alessandra Priante Director of the Regional Department for Europe (UNWTO)

 

In spite of the recent difficult years, which also had a harsh impact on tourism, the sector is recovering rapidly and sustainably, taking a leading position in the economic development of Europe and the world. This is what President Rumen Radev said during a solemn ceremony at the Presidency. The head of State conferred the Order of SS Cyril and Methodius on Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UNWTO, and Prof Alessandra Priante Director of the Regional Department for Europe (UNWTO), for their contribution to the promotion of Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage. 

 

In his speech, the President highlighted the contribution of tourism to peace, stability and security in the midst of a sharp confrontation. At a time of global clashes and contradictions, organisations like the World Tourism Organisation build bridges between nations, and work for cooperation and understanding, the President said. The head of State noted the hard work of the Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism and the industry, thanks to which the country's tourism has achieved better results compared to those before the COVID-19 pandemic. Rumen Radev and Zurab Pololikashvili noted that Bulgaria has made a weighty contribution to international cooperation and is a reliable member of the World Tourism Organisation. 

 

After the official ceremony, the head of State held a session with the honourees, during which the opportunities for promoting Bulgaria as a popular destination for year-round tourism were discussed. The sides concurred that this country has a significant potential, especially in cultural tourism. The key role of transport connectivity in the regional and global perspective for improving the prospects of the sector in Bulgaria was also noted.

 

 

The meeting was held at the initiative of Denmark's ambassador to Bulgaria Flemming Stender within the framework of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU

In his speech, the president pointed out that Bulgaria highly values its relations with Iraq, which is an important partner in the Middle East region

Taking advantage of their geostrategic position, Bulgaria and Georgia have the potential to deepen their connectivity in various areas such as transport, energy, and the digital sector, which will contribute to promoting the economy, investment, and prosperity in the Black Sea region. This was stated by President Rumen Radev, who held a meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili.

The two were unanimous that restoring peace in Europe through diplomacy is a priority for the EU and the only way to ensure the long-term security and stability of the Old Continent.