site.btaPresident Radev Meets with Academie Francaise Perpetual Secretary D'Encausse

March 19 (BTA) - President Rumen Radev on Tuesday met with Helene Carrere d'Encausse, Perpetual Secretary of the Academie Francaise. The two rallied around the idea that the future of united Europe requires strong cultural presence and the preservation of the cultural identity of all EU member states.

French Ambassador here Eric Lebedel attended in the meeting.

The head of State thanked D'Encausse for her contribution to Bulgaria's accession of the EU and its European integration.

Older EU members should support the strive of East European countries to prove their economic  and social potential, Radev said, adding that given its economic and cultural potential France can play a much more active role in the Balkans and Bulgaria.

Earlier in the day Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte met with D'Encausse and Ambassador Lebedel. D'Encausse said she attaches special importance to the meeting as she herself is an Orthodox Christian. The two discussed the latest developments in Europe, the relations of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church with the other
traditional denominations in the country and the upcoming visit of Pope Francis to Bulgaria. LI/PP