site.btaPresidents of Bulgaria, Brazil Discuss Deepening of Bilateral Cooperation in Various Spheres

Presidents of Bulgaria, Brazil Discuss Deepening of Bilateral Cooperation in Various Spheres

Brasilia, February 1 (BTA special correspondent Assen Boyadjiev) - Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev arrived on a three-day official visit to Brazil Monday. Speaking to the press after a meeting with counterpart Dilma Rousseff, he said that Brazil is the leading trading partner of Bulgaria among the Latin American countries. "Brazil is a priority and irreplaceable partner, the prospects in cooperation are ample and we want to broaden it," he said.

The meeting between the two presidents lasted longer than scheduled.

Plevneliev's delegation includes Economy Minister Bozhidar Loukarski, Deputy Ministers and MPs. He has also brought a business delegation with representatives of 19 companies organized by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Bulgarian President said that the visit is a sign of confidence and friendship between the two peoples. He believes that the election of Dilma Rousseff as President lent new dynamics to Bulgarian-Brazilian relations.

President Rousseff has Bulgarian roots.

"The people of Bulgaria and Brazil feel close to each other and we, Bulgarians, are proud of the Bulgarian roots of Ms Rousseff," said Plevneliev.

The two presidents discussed the opportunities for cooperation in information technologies, the energy sector, pharmaceutics, the production of automobile components, agriculture, food production and education.

"We have strong political will for broadening the friendly ties. Bulgaria's EU membership and the strategic character of the EU-Brazil relations create additional opportunities to further develop our cooperation," Plevneliev said.

Bulgaria welcomes the entry into force of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Economic Cooperation between Bulgaria and Brazil which, together with the bilateral Agreement on Social Security signed on Monday, will contribute to the deepening of the bilateral trade and economic relations, he noted. In his words, the Bulgaria-Brazil Joint Intergovernmental Commission will soon hold a sitting.

Plevneliev also said that his country can serve as Brazil's entrance to the EU, while Brazil is a natural entrance for Bulgaria to the Mercosur countries. Bulgaria will work for the faster and successful conclusion of the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement, he added.

The Bulgarian head of State also expressed the hope that his country's unique Thracian gold treasures, which were exhibited at the Louvre in Paris in 2015, will be shown in Brazil as well.

The Bulgarian community in Brazil is the second largest in Latin America, Plevneliev said, describing it as a natural bridge between the two countries.

The Brazilian head of State said that the friendship between her country and Bulgaria is growing. In her words, she and Plevneliev talked on all matters of principle so that they can increase their countries' trade relations. "Brazil has a strong interest in being part of trade offers both for our bloc and united Europe. We are sure that we can rely on Bulgaria's support in this respect," Rousseff noted.

She expressed certainty that Plevneliev's visit will contribute to a significant progress in bilateral relations, as well as in EU-Mercosur ties.

Rousseff also said that this visit is important to her personally because of her Bulgarian roots. She concluded her statement by saying thank you in Bulgarian, noting that she learned this word from her father.

Rousseff conferred Brazil's National Order of the Southern Cross on the Bulgarian head of State for his contribution to the development of the bilateral relations. The order is Brazil's highest state distinction conferred on foreigners and foreign guests.

Two business forums will take place during Plevneliev's visit to Brazil. In Brasilia and Sao Paulo, he will also meet with members of the Bulgarian community in the two cities.

Bilateral Agreements

In the presence of the two heads of State, a bilateral Agreement on Social Security and a Memorandum of Understanding between Bulgaria's Ministry of Education and Science and Brazil's National Council for Scientific and Technological Development were signed.

The first agreement gives Bulgarian and Brazilian nationals who have worked in the other country the opportunity to acquire social rights. The document regulates the provision of work in the two countries, as well as the order of providing and paying pensions of different types.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding is part of the Action Plan for Implementing the Strategy for Developing Scientific Research in Bulgaria (2015-2020), and is aimed at officially including Bulgaria in Brazil's Science Without Borders Programme. This programme concerns the education of Brazilian students and PhD students at reputed foreign educational institutions providing access to the latest technological innovations. At the same time, the signing of the document creates opportunities for the sending of scholarship students. Bulgarian PhD students, scientists and researchers can receive scholarships for specialization at Brazilian universities and scientific institutions.