site.btaPresident Radev Confers with Visiting Swiss Vice President Maurer

Sofia, April 26 (BTA) - President Rumen Radev conferred here on Thursday with visiting Swiss Vice President Ueli Maurer, Radev's Press Secretariat reported.

"We highly value the good cooperation and sharing of the Swiss experience and good practices in the dual education system, as well as the introduction of this educational model in Bulgaria," Radev told Maurer.

The Bulgarian head of State and his guest have reviewed bilateral relations, with Radev giving high marks to the Bulgarian-Swiss cooperation programme's results in reducing the economic and social disparities in Europe. "We believe that soon a decision will be made to extend the programme after 2019 within Switzerland's cohesion policy for new EU Member States, or at least in its part concerning education," Radev said.

The meeting focused on the active trade and economic relations between Bulgaria and Switzerland and the opportunities for deepening investment cooperation. "Switzerland ranks eighth in the amount of foreign direct investments in Bulgaria, and we are working towards improving labour productivity and investment conditions," the Bulgarian head of State noted. Radev and Maurer agreed that organizing bilateral business forums is a step in this direction.

"We value Switzerland's support for Bulgaria's Schengen accession. This is an important contribution towards the common European security, the control and protection of the external European borders," The stability of the region is a long-term priority for Bulgaria, which enjoys support from all State institutions and the Bulgarian citizens, Radev said, expressing Bulgaria's gratitude for Switzerland's contribution to the political and economic stabilization of the Western Balkan states.

Earlier on Thursday, the Swiss Vice President congratulated Bulgaria on its exceptional efforts and achievements in maintaining security in Europe, which also benefit Switzerland and central European countries. He was speaking during the opening of a modern training facility at the Interior Ministry's Academy here on Thursday, attended by Interior Minister Valentin Radev. The project is implemented under the Bulgarian-Swiss cooperation programme and is valued at around 1 million euro.

Maurer commented Switzerland's interests in the area of security in the region, which he described as being connected to the fight against organized crime and the migrant wave. Bulgaria is a pivotal factor in Europe's security, he went on to say.

Minister Radev noted the long-lasting cooperation with Switzerland on joint projects. He explained that the first part of the project, under which the training facility was built, is theoretical and pertains to a manual on how to exercise police powers and observe human rights.

The newly built facility will be used to train police cadets from the Academy and improve the qualifications of current officers with an emphasis on human rights. It has two buildings - one serves a tactical purpose, where trainings are held, whilethe other is a police department.