site.btaPresident Plevneliev: SE Europe Can Do More to Encourage Europe-Asia Trade

President Plevneliev: SE Europe Can Do More to Encourage Europe-Asia Trade

Milan/Sofia, October 16 (BTA) - Addressing the 10th Asia Europe
Meeting (ASEM10) in Milan Thursday, Bulgarian President Rosen
Plevneliev said that Southeast Europe is a strategic bridge
linking Europe and Asia and can contribute much more in
encouraging trade between the two continents, said the
Presidential Press Secretariat. 

He added that the countries of Southeast Europe now are not
divided by iron curtains, share a common vision for a European
future and work for linking up their transport, rail and energy
systems.

According to the President, Bulgaria has a fine reputation in
Asia as a reliable partner and maintains fruitful cooperation
with many Asian countries. With its geographic location,
Bulgaria is a natural door to Europe for Asian businesses and
could become a transit hub for Asian imports. "Being a member of
 the EU, we offer some of the best conditions to foreign
investors: low production costs, qualified labour and free
access to the single European market," the President said. He
added that many companies from Asia have already gained by
setting foot in Bulgaria and the region.
 
Bulgaria is one of the co-organizers of the ASEM Sustainable
Development Dialogue aimed at enhancing the sharing of
experiences and initiatives among the countries in the basins of
 the Rivers Danube and Mekong, said the President adding that
his country is determined to expand this cooperation.



Furthermore, Plevneliev was adamant that it is of common
interest for the countries in Asia and Europe to continue to
develop the transport systems that connect them and encourage
economic exchange.

He said that the Asian and European economies are interconnected
 and that the challenges facing individual countries require
joint efforts to address them. 

He spoke of the energy vulnerability of Europe and said that
Asia can offer alternative energy sources and routes.

President Plevneliev hailed Croatia and Kazakhstan for joining
ASEM.

At the forum, Bulgaria offered to host an ASEM workshop on human
 rights.