NEWS

President: Bilateral Relations and Dialogue at All Levels between Bulgaria and South Africa Outline Prospects for Even More Fruitful Cooperation

Rumen Radev honours South Africa's Ambassador to Bulgaria Thabo Thage with the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Class

South Africa is a key partner of Bulgaria and the EU in areas such as energy security, economic cooperation, environment, education and cultural exchange, President Rumen Radev said when he honoured Republic of South Africa's Ambassador to Bulgaria, Thabo Thage, with the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Class. The award is for the diplomat's exceptional services to the development and deepening of bilateral relations between Bulgaria and the Republic of South Africa.

In his address, Rumen Radev highlighted Ambassador Thage's active work and constructive efforts to expand the friendship and cooperation between Bulgaria and the Republic of South Africa, as well as to deepen the political dialogue at all levels, due to which the relations between the two countries are developing upwards towards a higher level of partnership. The Order is not only a recognition of Ambassador Thage's personal merits, but also an appreciation of the importance this country attaches to the relations between Bulgaria and the Republic of South Africa, the President emphasised at the ceremony in the Coat of Arms Hall at the Presidency. In his words, the excellent bilateral relations and dialogue at all levels are yielding good results and outline the prospects for further fruitful cooperation.

The head of state thanked Ambassador Thage for the support for his visit to South Africa, organised at the invitation of the Association of Bulgarians there for the opening of the first Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox temple on the African continent in May this year. Rumen Radev highlighted his meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as well as the business forum held in Pretoria with the participation of dozens of Bulgarian and South African companies. In his words, it will give additional impetus to successfully deepen cooperation in a number of important economic areas through new joint projects.

Rumen Radev also recalled this country's unwavering support in the struggle of the South African people against apartheid at international forums, with material assistance, as well as by giving the opportunity to young people from the African National Congress to study at Bulgarian universities.

We particularly appreciate the role of the Republic of South Africa, which has established itself as a stabilising factor in the African continent, capable of helping, of resolving conflicts and contributing to security and stability in the region, which are crucial for the socio-economic development of Africa, President Radev further said.

Ambassador Thabo Thage thanked for the state award he received, adding that it also marks the importance of the relations between Bulgaria and the Republic of South Africa. The diplomat also stressed that there is a huge potential for deepening our trade ties. He recalled that his arrival in Bulgaria in 2019 had happened shortly before the coronavirus pandemic, but despite the difficult recovery and its aftermath, relations between the two countries continued to build on the foundations of long-standing diplomatic ties. "Today our relationship is firmer, more structured than ever before and it is continuing to expand and deepen", Thabo Thage said. He also stressed that the Bulgarian President's visit to the Republic of South Africa was extremely fruitful and confirmed the solid foundation on which the partnership between Bulgaria and the Republic of South Africa can develop.