NEWS

 

 

The head of State conferred the Order of SS Cyril and Methodius on Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UNWTO, and Prof Alessandra Priante Director of the Regional Department for Europe (UNWTO)

 

In spite of the recent difficult years, which also had a harsh impact on tourism, the sector is recovering rapidly and sustainably, taking a leading position in the economic development of Europe and the world. This is what President Rumen Radev said during a solemn ceremony at the Presidency. The head of State conferred the Order of SS Cyril and Methodius on Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UNWTO, and Prof Alessandra Priante Director of the Regional Department for Europe (UNWTO), for their contribution to the promotion of Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage. 

 

In his speech, the President highlighted the contribution of tourism to peace, stability and security in the midst of a sharp confrontation. At a time of global clashes and contradictions, organisations like the World Tourism Organisation build bridges between nations, and work for cooperation and understanding, the President said. The head of State noted the hard work of the Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism and the industry, thanks to which the country's tourism has achieved better results compared to those before the COVID-19 pandemic. Rumen Radev and Zurab Pololikashvili noted that Bulgaria has made a weighty contribution to international cooperation and is a reliable member of the World Tourism Organisation. 

 

After the official ceremony, the head of State held a session with the honourees, during which the opportunities for promoting Bulgaria as a popular destination for year-round tourism were discussed. The sides concurred that this country has a significant potential, especially in cultural tourism. The key role of transport connectivity in the regional and global perspective for improving the prospects of the sector in Bulgaria was also noted.

 

 

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