The state of trade, economic and political ties with African countries were discussed at a meeting between President Rosen Plevneliev and the Ambassadors of African countries accredited to Bulgaria. The meeting with the representatives from Africa was the first in a multilateral format in which the President has participated.
The main areas of co-operation were identified as implementation of infrastructure projects by Bulgarian construction companies, projects in the areas of water management and the construction of irrigation systems, in the area of agriculture and food production, medicine and pharmaceuticals, forestry, cultural co-operation and the development of tourism. The President and the African Ambassadors were unanimous that the state of trade and economic relations is below the existing potential.
The large number of African students – more than 7000 people – who have acquired higher education in Bulgaria is an important prerequisite for the future deepening of friendship and co-operation between Bulgaria and African countries, it was emphasised at the meeting. Similarly, it is essential to “reset” the work of the joint commission on trade and economic co-operation and to meet regularly.
The active contacts in the past and the prestige of Bulgarian specialists working in Africa are also a basis for building up bilateral relations with every one of the African countries, it became clear during the working meeting. Those who took part in the talks included the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Angola, the Republic of Sudan, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Charge d’Affaires of the mission of the Libyan National Transitional Council.