President Plevneliev discusses Bulgarian – African trade ties with African ambassadors in Sofia
The state of trade, economic and political ties with African countries were discussed at a December 12 2012 meeting between Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev and African ambassadors in Sofia, the President’s office said.
The meeting with the African diplomats was the first in a multilateral format in which the President has participated, the statement said.
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.
Plevneliev and the African ambassadors were unanimous that the state of trade and economic relations is below the existing potential, the statement said.
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, the statement said.
Those who took part in the talks included the ambassadors of Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Sudan, Nigeria and the Libyan mission charge d’affaires.
(Photos: president.bg)
