NEWS

Bulgaria and Portugal are united by their history, their rich cultural heritage and the inspiration of our peoples to work for a better future, stated President Rumen Radev today at Sofia University “Saint Kliment Ohridski”, where his wife Desislava Radeva and he were present at a speech on the topic of Europe – a Perspective for the Future given by the Head of State of Portugal. It is the second day of the official visit of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the invitation of the Bulgarian President. 

 

The President of the Portuguese Republic, a renowned professor and researcher with an academic career in the field of legal and political sciences was awarded the honourable title of Doctor Honoris Causa in the Aula of Sofia University. It is impressive to see a university professor with his deep knowledge contribute to contemporary politics in Europe, Mr. Rumen Radev noted.

 

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa emphasised that the gesture on behalf of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” means a lot to any representative of academia. He described democracy as freedom and rule of law. It is a constant challenge, requires a daily change for the better and our actions either improve or worsen its quality. “We must think of the future of Europe and meet the hopes of people. The future global position of the EU depends on its response to all challenges,” stated the Portuguese President in his speech.

 

Earlier in the day, Mr. Rumen Radev and Mr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa visited the national library “Saints Cyril and Methodius”. The two examined the Portugal in the Manuscripts and Old Books of the National Library exhibition, which includes three essays kept at the library: the 1732 Cihânnümâ (View of the World) by Kâtip Çelebi, the 1730 Ta?rihu?'l-Hindi'l-Garbi? el-mu?semma bi hadis-i nev (History of the West Indies) and the 1556 manuscript by Muhammad al-Idrisi Nuzhat al-musht?q f? ikhtir?q al-?f?q (The Excursion of One Who is Eager to Traverse the Regions of the World or the Tabula Rogeriana). The first edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle by Hartmann Schedel, printed on 12 July 1493 by Anton Koberger was also part of the exhibition presented.

 

The Bulgarian and Portuguese Presidents also visited the History of the Book Hall in the National Library where The Book of Boril from the 13th century and The Enina Apostle from the 11th century are exhibited. The two extremely valuable literary works are included in the Memory of the World programme registry by UNESCO for protecting global documentary heritage. 

 

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