NEWS

The President holds a meeting with representatives of the Association of Honorary Consuls in Bulgaria

 

Bulgaria relies on the efforts of honorary consuls from all over the world in our country to contribute to the opening of new partnerships in the spheres of economy, trade, innovations, education, tourism. Our country can be more visible by restoring its positions and building new cooperation at home and abroad in the conditions of a dynamic geopolitical environment. This was stated by the Head of State Rumen Radev during a meeting today at the presidential institution with the leadership of the Association of Honorary Consuls in Bulgaria. The association includes representatives of more than 50 countries, in some of which Bulgaria does not have diplomatic representation. 

 

According to the Head of State, the changes and challenges in the global economy require the creation of new cooperation internationally.  The global turmoil requires increasing the sustainability of existing partnerships, but also diversification in economic and trade relations, in the field of energy and tourism, said the president. Rumen Radev added that it is important for Bulgaria to resume its partnerships with countries and regions with which it has established long-standing bilateral relations. 

 

We will continue to rely on the commitment of the APKB to establish even more intensive cooperation to promote Bulgaria, our cultural and scientific achievements, tourism opportunities, and to attract new investors and partners to our country, the head of state emphasized. Areas such as innovation, education, and tourism were highlighted as promising sectors. "Deepening the exchange in education and science gives lasting and long-term results that stimulate contacts between people and business," said Rumen Radev.  The common position was that in order to improve the exchange between the countries, it is necessary to accelerate the process of issuing visas from our country, which requires targeted efforts, both to engage the necessary number of employees and to digitalize the process. 

 

Bulgarian companies in the field of high technologies and innovations are extremely successful and our country is establishing itself as a center of information technologies in Southeast Europe, the president also pointed out. In his words, cooperation in the technologies of the future brings fruitful results when they go beyond state borders and multiply on international markets. 

 

During the meeting, it was emphasized that the successful development of bilateral relations, in any sphere of mutual interest, requires Bulgaria to uphold the rule of law. The association congratulated the head of state for his systematic actions in this direction and urged him to continue raising the flag of the rule of law.  The President pointed out that further guarantees are needed to protect private property and free business, expressing hope that public energy will strengthen democratic processes. 

 

The Association of Honorary Consuls in Bulgaria, on whose initiative today's conversation was held, expressed a desire for regular meetings with the head of state with the aim of establishing lasting cooperation in order to support the development of bilateral relations in the trade, economic, cultural and scientific spheres.

Statement by Head of State Iliana Iotova

For projects aimed at improving connectivity between Bulgaria and Turkiye must be viewed as a whole, to be successful, and within the context of closer cooperation in Southeastern Europe. This will bolster both economic development and security in the region, whose strategic importance is growing. This was stated by President Iliana Iotova at a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is on a formal visit to Bulgaria.

Albulena Haxhiu expressed her gratitude to President Iotova for Bulgaria’s support on Kosovo’s path toward membership in NATO and the European Union.

Iliana Iotova raised the issue of depopulation in the area along the Bulgarian-Serbian border and highlighted the need for investment to counter the adverse demographic trend.