site.btaBulgaria, Israel Can Benefit Economically from Close Bilateral Ties - Borissov and Netanyahu

Bulgaria, Israel Can Benefit Economically from Close Bilateral Ties - Borissov and Netanyahu

Jerusalem, February 25 (BTA special correspondent Hristo Vodenov) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov conferred here on Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Bulgarian delegation is arranging the third successive joint meeting of the two countries' governments, which is expected to take place in Bulgaria in the second half of this year.

Borissov is paying a two-day working visit to Israel on February 24 and 25.

"The two of us are very good friends, and the friendship between the two countries can be described as brotherhood," Netanyahu said, emerging from the meeting. "Our close ties date centuries back, but the role of Bulgarians and of Sofianities, who saved the Jews during the dark years of the Holocaust, is of special importance," the Israeli Prime Minister pointed out.

"This close friendship has its practical dimensions," Netanyahu said. "We enjoy an advantage in this friendship, because Jews have made an extraordinary contribution to Bulgaria and, respectively, Bulgarian Jews have their own major contribution to our country's development. I believe that we will be working for both countries' prosperity on the basis of this personal friendship and this bridge built between the two countries," he noted.

"We have witnessed terrorist threats to our two countries, and they are of identical nature. We cooperated closely after the attacks in Bourgas against Israeli tourists several years ago," the Israeli head of government recalled. "This is an example of an all-embracing process which endangers our two countries, the region and the whole world. We are on the same side in this battle, which is not only for the future of our two countries but is a battle against extremism, for our shared values and for the civilization to which we belong. Cooperation makes us stronger in this battle," Netanyahu emphasized.

"We will shortly reduce customs duties and charges for Bulgarian goods, and I hope that Bulgarian imports will increase, especially of Bulgarian cheese," the Israeli Prime Minister noted.

"As far as security is concerned, we are doing a lot of things together with my friend Benjamin Netanyahu," Borissov said for his party. "We often consult one another on numerous issues by telephone. I hope that economic cooperation will increase and facilitate possible supplies of natural gas to Bulgaria," the guest added.

Bulgaria Sees Israel as Potential Gas Supplier for SE Europe

Conferring with the head of the Israeli National Economic Council, Prof. Avi Simhon, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev said that Bulgaria regards the Mediterranean countries in general and Israel in particular as potential gas suppliers for Bulgaria and the rest of Southeastern Europe.

Donchev and Simhon concurred that achieving efficient energy cooperation in the region, including through the European Commission initiative for a Euro-Mediterranean platform for cooperation on gas, can provide a groundwork for more active relations among the countries in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Balkans.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed measures for encouraging small and mid-sized enterprises, high-tech productions and start-ups.

Bulgarian Community in Israel to Nominate Bulgarian Orthodox Church for Nobel Peace Prize

On Wednesday, the Bulgarian Prime Minister met with members of the Bulgarian community in Jerusalem.

It transpired there that this community will nominate the Bulgarian Orthodox Church for the Nobel Peace Prize for its role in the rescue of some 50,000 Bulgarian Jews from deportation to the Nazi death camps during WW II.

Addressing the meeting, Bulgarian Honorary Consul in Israel Moni Bar said that Bulgaria remains in their hearts because it rescued their mothers and fathers during World War Two.

He said that the Bulgarian community in Israel is influential, represented in the economy, culture and medicine. "These people are successful because Bulgaria have taught them honesty, humility and work hard," Bar said.

In his remarks at the meeting, Prime Minister Borissov said that Bulgaria is unique in working well with the Palestinian community while having friendly relations with Israel. "Israel is maybe the only country where Bulgaria is treated equally [well] across the political spectrum, Left, Right or others," he said.

He urged the Bulgarian community to open representations in Bulgaria because there are ample business opportunities in this country.

Bulgarian Head of Government Meets with Palestine PM, President

On Wednesday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov visited Ramallah and conferred with Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and President Mahmoud Abbas.

During his session with Rami Hamdallah, Borissov said, quoted by his press office, that high-level visits have a positive effect on the traditionally good Bulgarian-Palestinian relations.

He hailed the signing of a memorandum on the establishment of a mixed ministerial commission.

After the signing of the memorandum with his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki, Bulgaria's chief diplomat Daniel Mitov said that the establishment of this commission will help enhance cooperation in the economy, trade, agriculture and home affairs, among other areas.

A protocol on holding political consultations between the two Foreign Ministries was also signed.

The Prime Minister said that the sides will work to further develop bilateral relations. He believes that the 5,000 or more Palestinians who have studied in Bulgaria can serve as a bridge between the two countries.

Borissov noted that there is untapped potential for trade and economic cooperation. The last couple of years has seen a gradual increase in Bulgarian exports, particularly in of food products.

He stressed that Bulgaria has solid experience in a number of sectors, including tourism and infrastructure, which can be of benefit for Palestine.

During his meetings in Ramallah, Borissov said that Bulgaria supports all initiatives which can affect positively the Middle East peace process. He added that his country has friendly relations with both Israel and with Palestine, and believes that all disputes should be resolved through direct talks between the two sides.