site.btaPresident Radev: Bulgarian-Israeli Relations Need More Pragmatism

Jerusalem, March 22 (BTA special correspondent Lora Metanova) - Meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev called for more pragmatism in bilateral relations. Radev is closing on Thursday his official visit to Israel at the invitation of Israeli counterpart Reuben Rivlin.

Radev congratulated the Israeli Prime Minister on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel which he called "an example of a working democracy and developed civil society today". "Together we observe the 75th anniversary of the unprecedented rescuing of the Bulgarian Jews which is a solid foundation to the development of our future relations," said the Bulgarian head of State.

He noted that the historic ties between the two peoples are an invaluable capital. "Today we need more pragmatism in bilateral relations," said Radev, adding that the two-way trade of 150 million dollars falls short of the potential of the two economies and of the beneficial and regular political dialogue. The Bulgarian state leader said that Bulgaria is interested in applying Israel's experience in building a socially committed and integrated society especially in the areas of IT, cyber security, science and education.

Radev also said that Bulgaria is interested in the diversification of natural gas resources and attaches great importance to the possibility for importing and transiting of natural gas from the newly-found deposits in the Mediterranean.

Radev noted the importance of the good cooperation between Bulgaria and Israel in countering terrorism and thanked Israel for the support after the 2012 bus bombing at Sarafovo Airport.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel and Bulgaria enjoy special relations. "We won't forget the past, what happened in Sofia, and the kindness and friendliness towards Jews," he said.