site.btaVisa Liberalization Question for Bulgarian Citizens Remains Priority in Bulgarian-Canadian Relations

Visa Liberalization Question for Bulgarian Citizens Remains Priority in Bulgarian-Canadian Relations 

Sofia, New York, September 21 (BTA) - President Rosen Plevneliev and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed on Tuesday the state of the EU following Brexit, questions of bilateral trade and economic cooperation and the liberalization of visas for Bulgarian citizens, the President's Press Secretariat reported. Plevneliev is in New York to attend the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly.

According to Plevneliev and Trudeau, the question of visa liberalization for Bulgarian citizens remains a priority in bilateral relations. The Bulgarian side will develop a detailed road map for meeting the visa liberalization criteria, which will be put up for discussion as soon as possible, while the two countries will actively exchange information about the progress of this process, it transpired from the conversation.

The Bulgarian head of State recalled that after the UK's referendum on leaving the EU, and the number of crises which are happening simultaneously and interplaying, the Union needs a new level of integration which can bring back citizens' trust in the European project and institutions. He noted that Bulgaria encourages every project that would help deepen the European integration processes, especially regarding the countries in the Western Balkans.
 
Plevneliev and Trudeau exchanged views on current topics on the Euro-Atlantic agenda.

The trade, economic and investment relationships between Bulgaria and Canada have a foundation of good political dialogue at all levels. Plevneliev outlined the opportunities to increase Canadian investments in Bulgaria and invited Canadian businesses to take advantage of the Bulgarian investment climate.

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Later, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly's Session, Plevneliev exchanged views with representatives of Jewish organizations about current topics on the European and international agenda.

Bulgaria must speed up its preparations to join the Eurozone, otherwise it risks lagging behind in the decision-making process in United Europe, he said.

Plevneliev and the Jewish organizations representatives shared their concerns about the growing populism and Europe and internationally.

The Bulgarian head of State was thanked for this country's commitment in the fight against terrorism. The Jewish organizations representatives highly assessed the Bulgarian authorities' work and welcomed the progress in the investigation of the Sarafovo Airport bus bombing from July 2012, which is already in a court of law.

During the meeting Plevneliev outlined progress on the ongoing reforms and the modernization of key sectors in Bulgaria, as well as aspects of the strategic partnership with the US and the State of Israel in a number of fields, such as the energy sector, security, defence and the fight against terrorism.