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. 

 

Ignazden's first guest at the presidential institution is Viktor Orban, and I believe that a much better year awaits us both for relations between Bulgaria and Hungary, as well as for our peoples and Europe, the President said after his meeting with the Prime Minister of Hungary

During the talks, the Head of State stressed the key importance of ensuring the safe operation of the nuclear power plant, as well as providing Bulgarian companies, engineers and technical workers with the opportunity to participate in the activities related to the construction and operation of the new units

President Rumen Radev held a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who is visiting the Novo Selo training ground today to get acquainted with the activities of the Multinational Battle Group with Italy as the host country.

During the talks, Radev expressed hope that the state leadership of North Macedonia would proceed as soon as possible to include the Bulgarians in its constitution, which would also open the door for negotiations for the country's full membership in the European Union