NEWS

Iliana Iotova: Dialogue and Diplomacy Are a Guarantee for Peace and an End to Conflicts

The Head of State awards the Order of the Madara Horseman, Second Class, to the Ambassador of Libya to Bulgaria

The world has become very dangerous and uncertain, and the key to peace, success and ending conflicts is dialogue and diplomats like you, who believe in good relations between countries and develop ties between peoples. With these words, President Iliana Iotova addressed the Ambassador of the State of Libya to Bulgaria, H.E. Abu Bakr Ahmad Said Salih, after awarding him with the Order of the Madara Horseman, Second Class. The award is presented to the diplomat for his particularly great services to the development of bilateral relations.

During the ceremony, which took place in the Coat of Arms Hall of the presidential institution, Iliana Iotova highlighted the efforts of Ambassador Salih to maintain and build on the friendly relations between Bulgaria and Libya in a difficult period for the country and its region. The President noted the importance of international organisations and formats for the exchange of views of the countries, dialogue, search for solutions and provision of assistance, adding that Libya needs support.

Iotova stressed the need to intensify the bilateral economic dialogue and the implementation of joint projects, taking into account the mutual interest of both countries. She recalled that for more than six decades Bulgaria and Libya have shared friendship, mutual understanding and close cooperation, and expressed hope that the next ambassador will continue the line of strengthening diplomatic relations, as well as the successful interaction with Bulgarian institutions and local authorities.

In her greeting, the head of state also highlighted the contribution of the thousands of Bulgarian specialists who worked in Libya to the development of the country. Thousands of Libyan students graduated from first-class Bulgarian universities and are some of the best ambassadors of Bulgaria in your country, because a significant number of them have returned and are working in Libya, Iotova pointed out.

Ambassador Abu Bakr Ahmad Said Salih thanked the head of state for the honour of being awarded the high distinction. He highlighted the positive development during his tenure of political, economic and cultural relations between Bulgaria and Libya. I thank you for the friendship and kindness with which I was welcomed in this wonderful country. I wish Bulgaria prosperity, the Libyan Ambassador concluded.