site.btaBulgarian President Radev Pays State Visit to Armenia

Yerevan, February 12 (BTA special correspondent Asen Boyadjiev) - Bulgarian President Rumen Radev arrived on a state visit to Armenia on Sunday evening at the invitation of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. The visit will continue until February 13.

"The President of Armenia and I concurred that our two countries must capitalize on their strategic location. We will therefore be working responsibly for the implementation of the Persian Gulf - Black Sea multimodal transport corridor, which will enable us to benefit from the deepening of our political relations," Radev said at a joint news conference with his host, emerging from their one-to-one session and plenary talks between the official delegations.

Radev welcomed Sargsyan's idea about a meeting of the transport ministers of all countries interested in this project. "At this point, we need above all transport, energy and digital connectivity so as to be able to unleash the potential of our economies," the Bulgarian head of State said.

He noted that, in addition to invigorating high-level political contacts, which precondition interaction and advancement in all areas of shared interest, his visit is also intended to achieve tangible progress in a number of areas. That is why the President's delegation includes Bulgarian Government and Parliament officials and business executives.

The two Presidents discussed bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with the steady two-way trade over the last ten years which, as Radev put, "nevertheless leaves room for improvement".

Radev said that agreement has already been reached on holding a major business forum with representatives of the two countries in Bourgas (on the Black Sea, Southeastern Bulgaria) in July.

The guest described Bulgarian-Armenian relations as "not just traditionally good but above all friendly, because of the deep-going historical and cultural ties, mutual sympathy and respect for a similar historical fate between the two people."

"We welcome the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement signed between Armenia and the EU because it creates conditions for a far easier and more vigorous exchange between our economies and in all spheres," Radev said.

The two also discussed security cooperation. The Bulgarian head of State invited Armenia to broaden its participation in NATO exercises in Bulgarian territory and in military training exchanges.

"We also discussed the problem with Nagorno-Karabakh, which is exceedingly important not only for Armenia but for the entire region," Radev said. He emphasized that Bulgaria has clearly identified the Western Balkans as the top priority of its EU Council Presidency, but Bulgaria is "exceedingly committed to the Eastern Partnership. Security and development of the Black Sea region and Caucasus are of essential significance to us," the head of State added.

Asked about the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and the Bulgarian position, President Sargsyan said he had thanked Radev for the balanced position of Bulgaria which, as he put it, "has always been in favour of a peaceful settlement of the conflict." "Bulgaria has a categorical and clear position regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It can only be resolved through peace negotiations with the intermediation of the [OSCE] Minsk Group and its co-chairmanship consisting of Russia, France and the US, with the assistance of the EU and, far more importantly, through active dialogue between the heads of State of Armenia and Azerbaijan," the Bulgarian President said. In his words, this is also the common position of the EU and Bulgaria and, as holder of the Presidency of the EU Council, his country will facilitate its implementation.

Sargsyan commented that the conflict can be settled only provided Azerbaijan abandons its "unrealistic expectations" about the results of the negotiations.

The Armenian President stressed the importance of Radev's visit in giving a new impetus to the promotion of bilateral relations, adding that they have "solid historical and cultural foundations". The host congratulated his guest on Bulgaria taking up the EU Council Presidency and wished its success. "The EU is an important partner of Armenia," Sargsyan pointed out.

He said that the two had discussed economic cooperation, and that there is still a large untapped potential in two-way trade. Sargsyan spoke of the need to work for cooperation in agriculture, tourism and other areas. He noted the growing interest of Bulgarian entrepreneurs in opportunities in Armenia. The two also talked about the need to strengthen cultural cooperation.

Sargsyan accepted Radev's invitation to visit Bulgaria.

Following a formal welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, a one-to-one session and plenary talks between the official delegations, several bilateral documents were signed in the presence of the two Presidents: an Agreement on Reciprocal Protection and Exchange of Classified Information; an Agreement on Regulation of Labour Migration (signed for Bulgaria by Labour and Social Policy Minister Bisser Petkov); an Agreement on Cooperation in Information Technologies and Communications; and a Programme for Cooperation in the Field of Culture for the 2017-2018 Period.

Before the official talks on Monday, President Radev laid a wreath at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex and shared in a tree planting ceremony.