NEWS

The Republic of Bulgaria will support every joint project with the People’s Republic of China – not only within the initiative of the Silk Road Economic Belt, but also within the cooperation between China and the Central and East European countries. This is what President Rosen Plevneliev said today, who received at 2 Dondukov street a Chinese delegation, led by Sun Zhengcai – Member of the Political bureau of the Communist Party of China Central committee and Communist Party Secretary of Chongqing municipality. 

 

“The comprehensive friendly partnership and cooperation between Bulgaria and China, declared during my official visit to China in 2014, raised the bilateral relations to a new, higher level,” Rosen Plevneliev said. The Head of State pointed out that he would encourage every step towards a more active cooperation with the People’s Republic of China both on a national and local level.

 

The initiative for cooperation between China and the Central and East European countries is a working instrument for development, which is highly appreciated by the countries in the region, the President said. The Head of State highlighted the forthcoming establishment of a center for cooperation in the sphere of agriculture in the 16+1 format with a central office in Sofia in June 2015 as an example of successful cooperation within the initiative. Rosen Plevneliev and Sun Zhengcai also discussed the opportunities provided by the Silk Road Economic Belt for implementing projects of mutual interest.

 

The Head of State highlighted communication and information technologies, in which Bulgaria has a highly developed potential, as specific spheres of cooperation. The Head of State emphasized the advantages Bulgaria has as a destination for outsourcing, its good positions in agriculture and the opportunities for developing all-year-round tourism in Bulgaria. “We have a serious potential for implementing joint infrastructure projects,” President Plevneliev further added. The Head of State also highlighted the good results that Bulgaria and the People’s Republic of China have produced in the sectors of education and cultural exchange.

 

President Plevneliev pointed out that he welcomed the adoption of the Strategic EU-China 2020 agenda for Cooperation and reiterated our country’s support for the Investment agreement between the EU and China, the negotiations for which were launched within the framework of the last Summit in Beijing in 2013.

 

“The contacts and cooperation between Bulgaria and the People’s Republic of China have become more active in the past years,” Sun Zhengcai said at the meeting. He pointed out that the cooperation with Bulgaria has excellent prospects and singled out the development of the trade and cultural exchange. “Your state visit to China was the first visit of a foreign Head of State in 2014 and it marked the beginning of a new stage in the bilateral relations,” Sun Zhengcai said.  

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.