site.btaPresident Plevneliev Calls on Countries of Europe, Latin America and Caribbean to Deepen Strategic Partnership

President Plevneliev Calls on Countries of Europe, Latin America and Caribbean to Deepen Strategic Partnership

Brussels, June 11 (BTA) - Addressing the Second Working Session
on "Facing together global challenges" at the Second EU-CELAC
(Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Summit here
on Thursday, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said, quoted
by his Press Secretariat, that the rapid challenges happening at
 present transcend national borders and require close
partnership between the separate States and regions.

"Europe and the region of Latin America and the Caribbean have a
 huge development potential," the head of State said, calling on
 the States in the two regions to continue to strengthen their
strategic partnership based on historic, cultural and economic
ties and shared values. Plevneliev was categorical that EU-LAC
relations set an example of successful cooperation between
economies which are already closely linked and interdependent.
"The EU is the principal development partner of Latin America
and the Caribbean, the second largest trading partner and the
largest foreign investor. There are several Association and Free
 Trade Agreements between the EU and the countries in the
region. We would like to see progress in the negotiations on the
 new agreements, such as the one between the EU and MERCOSUR,"
the President pointed out.

He recalled that, thanks to its strategic location in
Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria is a "gateway" to the European
Union and offers some of the most favourable conditions for the
implementation of investment projects: the EU's lowest taxes,
the lowest producer prices, a highly skilled labour force, and
free access to the European market. "Bulgaria is also a
traditional centre of high-quality education. Thousands of young
 people from Latin America and the Caribbean graduated from
Bulgarian universities in the past. We are interested in
strengthening this cooperation," Plevneliev pointed out.

In his statement at the forum, he called for a sustainable
solution to climate change problems and referred to the
forthcoming summit in Paris.

The President thanked Brazil, Argentina and Chile, which are
Bulgaria's principal partners and take much credit for the
success of the Bulgarian Antarctic missions. The head of State
also expressed Bulgaria's support for the purposes and
strengthening of the Antarctic Treaty system.