NEWS

Vice-president Margarita Popova Received a Parliamentary Delegation from Kuwait, which is on a Visit to Bulgaria

Vice-president Margarita Popova and a delegation of the Group for friendship Kuwait-Bulgaria in the National Assembly of Kuwait, lead by the head of the group Hamad Saif Mohammad Al-Harshani, discussed strengthening the bilateral relations in the education, science and culture sectors and the development of tourism. The visit of the parliamentary delegation from Kuwait to Bulgaria aims to encourage the cooperation between Bulgaria and Kuwait in all sectors of bilateral interest.

The traditionally friendly relations between the two countries, which mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, were highlighted at the meeting.

Vice-president Margarita Popova and the MPs from Kuwait outlined the opportunities for encouraging the cooperation in the sphere of commerce and economy. The preparation of the 6th session of the Mixed Commission for economic and commercial cooperation, which Kuwait will host, is under way.

Bulgaria highly appreciates the cooperation achieved with Kuwait in the education, science and culture sectors. Currently Kuwait awards two scholarships a year to Bulgarian students studying Arabic studies. The two countries recognize their university degree diplomas, the Vice-president added. In her opinion, this solid basis should be developed and the bilateral documents in the sphere should be updated.

The cooperation in the military-medical sphere has also achieved lasting positive results. More than 250 Bulgarian medical specialists work in the governmental hospital in Kuwait and Bulgarian specialized medical teams perform specific operations in hospitals in Kuwait.

The positive opportunities for the development of the relations in the tourism sector were also highlighted. The trend towards growth of the “family tourism” in Bulgaria is particularly positive.  However, at the meeting it was emphasized that the two countries should pool efforts to advertise each other as attractive tourist destinations. According to the Kuwaiti side, an additional alleviation of the visa regime for citizens of Kuwait would encourage not only the exchange of tourists, but also Kuwait’s investment activity in Bulgaria. Currently the holders of valid Kuwaiti diplomatic and special passports do not need to have Bulgarian visas to pass through our country or to stay in Bulgaria for a short time.