NEWS

In New York, Rosen Plevneliev met the Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga

Partnership opportunities for access to third markets were discussed in New York by President Rosen Plevneliev and the Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. It is expected that by the end of the year a decision will be made on the first pilot project that Qatar will carry out in Bulgaria, the President said after the meeting. The president is in New York to participate in the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly.

President Plevneliev is optimistic that the project company to build the Rousse-Svilengrad road will start work quickly and will demonstrate the effectiveness of the project so that it may move to the next phase of implementation. There is also joint work on the implementation of Qatari investments in agriculture. “Qatar’s attitude to Bulgaria is very positive and the state is seeking a sound partnership with Bulgaria, based on long-term co-operation,” the President said. He said this partnership should be accomplished in bilateral agreements that comply with European legislation, and the good friendship between Bulgaria and Qatar should be based only on well-structured and successful projects.

During the meeting, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani invited President Plevneliev to visit Qatar at his convenience.

At UN headquarters in New York, President Rosen Plevneliev held talks with the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga. Bulgaria will share its experience in the process of negotiation for EU membership and European integration in the Balkans must continue with the integration of the Republic of Kosovo, it was emphasised at the meeting between Presidents Plevneliev and Jahjaga.

Kosovo's economic development is now a top priority in the country, President Jahjaga said. She said that Bulgaria is a good partner of Kosovo, Bulgarian companies are already working in the country, and commercial and economic relations between the two countries have the potential to become even stronger. President Jahjaga invited her Bulgarian counterpart to visit Kosovo at the head of a business delegation and to see for himself the opportunities for joint business partnerships and bilateral relations.

President Plevneliev said that the region of South Eastern Europe as a whole has a huge potential to become more visible to investors. The implementation of more joint projects between Balkan countries and will help overcome their differences, he said.

The Republic of Kosovo will rely on Bulgarian support for the country's accession to the NATO Partnership for Peace programme and membership of UNESCO, it became clear during the meeting between Presidents Rosen Plevneliev and Atifete Jahjaga.

Today the Bulgarian head of state will be among the first leaders to address this session of the UN General Assembly. President Plevneliev is expected to speak to the General Assembly about 18.00 hours local time. At UN headquarters in New York, the President will hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Hungary, the Czech Republic, Albania, Nigeria and Switzerland. President Plevneliev will meet with UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake.