site.btaBulgaria Could Act as Mediator in Relations between Europe and Cape Verde

Sofia, February 19 (BTA) - Bulgaria, as the country holding the rotating EU Presidency, could become a mediator and moderator in the relations between Europe and Cape Verde, the two countries' prime ministers, Boyko Borissov and Jose Ulisses de Pina Correia e Silva, concurred. Cape Verde Prime Minister Jose Ulisses de Pina Correia e Silva is paying an official visit to Bulgaria.

Speaking at a joint conference with the guest on Monday, Borissov said that Cape Verde now has very close relations with the EU. Borissov said that Cape Verde is a truly democratic country in its part of the world. The Bulgarian Prime Minister said that the country is an example of how it could be possible "to stop with the incessant aid to Africa". Borissov also noted that the migratory flows from that part of the world, especially the route via Libya and Italy "assumes huge dimensions".

The Prime Minister of Cape Verde said that his country shares the European vision about Africa. "Our country is small and we understand that development is attained when the best use is made of resources - civil society, education, quality of life, citizens' freedoms and the opportunity to participate in their country's development," Jose Ulisses de Pina Correia e Silva said. The guest noted further that if this viewpoint is accepted by the EU and the EU perceives Cape Verde as an example of a democratic country such as one needed by Africa, it will be possible to develop good relations - political, economic and financial, so that even better living conditions are developed for the African citizens which will also mitigate the tendencies towards uncontrolled migration.

The Prime Minister of Cape Verde stressed his country's interest in expanding the cooperation in education. He said that students from Cape Verde are now enrolled in the Medical University in Sofia. Jose Ulisses de Pina Correia e Silva said his government will work for attracting more investments from Bulgaria. The guest said that the tourism sector in Cape Verde has an annual growth of 20 per cent and makes up 25 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product.

He further said that Cape Verde is preparing to act as a launching pad for the European countries to Africa. Jose Ulisses de Pina Correia e Silva welcomed Bulgarian business people in his country and said that other European countries are already investing in his country and making a profit. Cape Verde offers stability, trust and predictability in its policies and public order, he said.

Borissov noted Bulgaria's serious intentions in investing in Cape Verde's tourism, as well as in other sectors, and in developing the cooperation in education and high technologies.