site.btaBulgarian Ministers Express Optimism about Strengthening of Contacts with Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, November 30 (BTA special correspondent Hristo Vodenov) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and the five ministers who are on the government delegation on an official visit to Riyadh told reporters they were satisfied with the meetings and were optimistic about forging deeper contacts, which will be of benefit both to Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia.

After meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva said they had discussed the steps towards opening a Bulgarian embassy in Riyadh in the first half of 2018. They also discussed a visit to Sofia by the Saudi chief diplomat early in 2018, hopefully in preparation of a top-level visit.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov said Bulgaria can cooperate very well with Saudi Arabia in the security sector because it has successfully joined the fight against terrorism and the Islamic State. They have good experts and an effective system. "We discussed the signing of an agreement on information exchange which would make us more effective in fighting terrorism," said Karakachanov.

Agriculture, Food and Forestry Minister Roumen Porozhanov and Saudi Environment, Water and Agriculture Minister Abd al-Rahman bin Abd al-Muhsin al-Fadhli concurred that there were huge opportunities for cooperation in plant-growing, animal husbandry and fisheries. They signed an agricultural cooperation agreement. On Thursday Porozhanov met with representatives of the largest Saudi agribusiness companies. The country has two cow farms, one with 60,000 and the other with 120,000 cows, which opens up opportunities for feed export, he said.

Transport, Information Technology and Telecommunications Minister Ivaylo Moskovski called the visit very successful and of historic importance to Bulgaria. "We held meetings at the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and briefed businesses on investment opportunities in Bulgaria," said Moskovski. Working groups will be set up in the coming months to draw up an agreement on cooperation in air and sea transport. Riyadh is designing a metro network, which opens opportunities for Bulgarian companies to join in the construction, said Moskovski.

Tourism Minister Nikolina Angelkova said the sides had reached agreement on further investments in Bulgaria's summer and winter resorts, not just in high-end hotels in Sofia. Saudi experts are interested in Bulgaria's experience in craftsmanship and in work with the cultural heritage, said Angelkova. A tourism forum in Riyadh is planned for next year. The two countries will work on establishing contacts between tour operators at the suggestion of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.