NEWS

Possibilities for fostering bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Bulgaria and Japan in areas of mutual interest such as innovation, information technology, science and education, and other areas were discussed at a meeting in Sofia by the Head of State Rumen Radev and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Japanese Parliament, Fukushiro Nukaga. The guest and the delegation led by him are on a formal visit to this country.

 

Attracting more Japanese investment, deepening economic cooperation and promoting tourism exchange were the focus of the conversation between Radev and Nukaga. The two emphasised that the active political dialogue at a high and highest level in recent years has created an important basis for the positive development of bilateral cooperation. Japan is a priority and like-minded partner of Bulgaria in the East Asian region, and the Japanese people are friendly to the Bulgarians, the president pointed out, noting the potential for expanding cooperation between the two countries. The two also discussed the good conditions for investments in this country, which Japanese business can benefit from with access to other European countries.

 

Energy, electronics, robotics and the automotive industry were also identified as promising areas, in which Bulgaria has seen significant development in recent years. Nukaga said that Bulgaria is making efforts to establish itself as a regional centre for high technologies, and an example of this is the activity of the Institute for Research in the Field of Artificial Intelligence (INSAIT), with which the Japanese national research agency RIKEN develops joint research activities. During the meeting, the possibility of opening a direct flight line Sofia-Tokyo was also discussed, which will contribute to further deepening of bilateral relations.

 

President Radev expressed gratitude for the support of the Japanese side in Bulgaria's democratic transition, for establishing the principles of the market economy and for strengthening institutions, culture and education.

Bulgaria is increasingly visible on the German investment map and ever more attractive to German companies, many of which reinvest their profits and export research and development centres to our country. This was stated by President Rumen Radev during a meeting in Sofia with the leadership of the Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade (BWA).

The Bulgarian head of state emphasised the importance of global efforts to counter terrorism, while expressing concern about the escalation of tension in the Middle East following the Israeli air strike on the Qatari capital, Doha. Hundreds of our compatriots live and work in the Qatari capital.

Connectivity between the countries in Southeast Europe is important not only for their economic development, but is also a factor in NATO's collective security in the region, the president emphasises during a meeting with NATO's Deputy Secretary General

President Rumen Radev holds a meeting in Berlin with his counterpart, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier