site.btaForeign Minister Zaharieva, PM Borissov: Bulgaria Views Indonesia as High-priority Partner in Southeast Asia

Foreign Minister Zaharieva, PM Borissov:
Bulgaria Views Indonesia
as High-priority Partner in Southeast Asia


Sofia, September 16 (BTA) - Bulgaria values its friendly relations with Indonesia, which is Bulgaria's high-priority partner in Southeast Asia, said here on Monday Prime Minister Boyko Borissov during his meeting with visiting Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, the Government's information service reported.

Borissov noted that this is the first visit by an Indonesian Foreign Minister in the last 25 years, voicing belief that this visit will give an additional impetus to the development of bilateral relations.

According to the Prime Minister, there are a number of fields with potential for more active cooperation. He underscored trade and investments, tourism and infrastructure. Borissov noted that interaction in the areas of education and high technology is of mutual interest for both countries.

Bulgaria views Indonesia as a high-priority partner in Southeast Asia, with growing economic and political weight and a good example of different religious communities living together in understanding, peace and
tolerance, said here late on Sunday Foreign Minister Ekaterina
Zaharieva after meeting her Indonesian counterpart Retno
Marsudi.

Zaharieva and Marsudi have agreed to enhance sectoral
cooperation in investments, high technology, trade, culture and
education. Two-way trade between Bulgaria and Indonesia stood at
around USD 222 million in 2018, Zaharieva noted, adding that
trade has increased by over 300 per cent in the first months of
2019.

The two ministers have also discussed the increased tourist
exchange and improving visa services for Indonesians. Zaharieva
said that the possibility of opening offices that offer visa
services was also in the focus of the talks. Bulgaria was
visited by around 6,000 Indonesians last year.

"Bulgaria is among Indonesia's strongest friends in the EU and
you can always count on us for support regarding European
affairs," Zaharieva further said.

Retno Marsudi noted that Bulgaria and the countries in Central
and Eastern Europe have a huge potential for cooperation and
Indonesia is committed to improving bilateral relations with
Bulgaria. The Indonesian top diplomat underscored her country's
very good exchange with Bulgaria concerning both regional and
international matters, adding that bilateral dialogue continues,
which is very important for both countries.

Minister Marsudi is scheduled to open a business forum later on
Monday, during which a cooperation agreement will be signed
between the two countries' chambers of commerce and industry.

She will also open an Indonesian corner at the National Gallery.

President Rumen Radev will receive the Indonesian top diplomat later in the day.

***

Trade with Indonesia was USD 137.3 million in the first five months of 2019, which is close to 300 per cent more compared to the like period of 2018, said Bulgarian Economy Minister Emil Karanikolov during the opening of the Bulgarian-Indonesian business forum here on Monday, quoted by his Ministry. The forum is organized by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry with close to 50 business representatives from both countries participating, including 14 Indonesian companies. A cooperation agreement was signed between the two countries' chambers of commerce and industry during the forum.

Prior to the opening, Minister Karanikolov conferred with visiting Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. The two discussed the invigoration of trade and economic relations, the Bulgarian Economy Ministry said. Karanikolov noted that Bulgaria has the potential to attract Indonesian investments and offer favourable opportunities in a number of sectors, such as IT and communications, electronics, electrical engineering, machine building, auto parts, high-tech industrial output and services, agriculture, the food processing industry, transport and tourism, among others. RY/MY