Visiting Sofia, China’s Foreign Minister Wang holds talks with PM, President
Bulgaria is ready to build on the bilateral strategic partnership with concrete projects in the economy and connectivity, Prime Minister Roumen Radev told China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi during talks in the government building in Sofia on October 19.
Radev said that in 2019, when he was president, he together with Chinese President Xi Jinping adopted a joint declaration to elevate bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership.
The government information service said that Radev highlighted the achievements of Bulgaria in the energy, agriculture and motor vehicle sectors, which create favourable conditions for the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of electric mobility.
Bulgaria is increasingly establishing itself as an attractive destination for investments with its tax policy, political stability, predictability and the state’s readiness to support strategic investment projects, Radev said.
He said that the upcoming convening of a high-level meeting on connectivity issues in spring 2027 in Bulgaria is at the proposal of the Bulgarian government and aims to develop connectivity between Central Asia and Europe through the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor.
With its strategic location, Bulgaria has a key place in these projects as a gateway from Asia to Europe and contributes to the expansion of transport, energy and digital connectivity. The opening of a direct air route between Sofia and Beijing will also contribute to improving connectivity, it was agreed during the meeting, the government information service said.
Wang conveyed an invitation for Radev to visit China. He expressed confidence that Bulgaria will make progress in its development in the coming years, which will create additional opportunities for deepening bilateral relations and attracting Chinese investment.
Wang expressed China’s readiness to deepen economic cooperation with Bulgaria through concrete joint projects in the interests of the peoples of both countries.
“China is willing to be a reliable and responsible partner of Bulgaria in the process of its modernization,” Wang said.
The President’s office said that prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation between Bulgaria and China were discussed at a meeting between President Ilana Yotova and Wang on October 19.
Yotova highlighted the long-standing partnership between the two countries, built on the basis of mutual trust and friendship, the statement said.
Yotova and Wang noted the prospects for deepening cooperation in a number of areas, including economy, trade, education, and culture.
The statement quoted Wang as saying that the regular Bulgarian government formed after the parliamentary elections in April is a solid foundation for deepening the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and China, as well as for the faster implementation of already launched joint projects.
He thanked Yotova for her consistent support for the development of Bulgarian-Chinese relations, the President’s office said.
Yotova and Wang discussed the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, with Bulgaria and China agreeing that resolving them requires active diplomatic efforts.
“We live in a time with the most conflicts since the Second World War,” Yotova said.
“Today’s world needs more trust and responsibility. We must leave our children a secure world in which to develop their potential,” she said.
(Photo: government.bg)
