NEWS

Rumen Radev: Egypt Is a Partner of Strategic Importance for Bulgaria and the EU

Egypt is a partner of strategic importance for Bulgaria and the European Union. In recent years, political dialogue and the exchange of visits at the highest level have created a new dynamic in bilateral relations. This was stated by President Rumen Radev to the Egyptian national news agency MENA. The Bulgarian President participated yesterday evening in the ceremony that officially opened the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. At the invitation of the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, heads of state and government from around the world participated in the event. The Grand Egyptian Museum houses and exhibits tens of thousands of exhibits, including thousands of artefacts from the tomb of King Tutankhamun, which will be displayed in one place for the first time.

President Radev emphasised to the MENA agency that the Great Egyptian Museum in Giza reveals the wonders of Ancient Egypt, its civilisation, culture and traditions. As a country that is the heir to one of the oldest European cultures, Bulgaria fully understands the importance of exploring, preserving and presenting to the world its rich historical and cultural traditions.

Bulgaria and Egypt have opened a new chapter in their relations with the established new mechanisms for dialogue and partnership through the joint commissions for cooperation and bilateral economic cooperation, Rumen Radev also noted. The centenary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations is also to be celebrated in 2026, and President Radev expressed hope that his Egyptian counterpart to visit Bulgaria for further deepening of bilateral relations.

Rumen Radev also emphasised that trade between Bulgaria and Egypt will reach USD1.8 billion in 2024, with our country being among the significant suppliers of grain to Egypt. The interest of Bulgarian companies to invest in the country and establish partnerships is also increasing, which will also contribute to expanding the spheres of bilateral cooperation.

The official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which is an expression of Egypt's cultural diplomacy, was hosted by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who, together with his wife Entissar Amer was welcomed by official guests, including Head of State Rumen Radev and his wife Desislava Radeva.

President Rumen Radev had a session with Khaled el-Anani, nominated by the UNESCO Executive Board as the organisation's new Director-General, who was also among the guests at the ceremony.