site.btaWorld Leaders Congratulate Bulgarians on National Holiday

Sofia, March 2 (BTA) - Heads of states and governments from across the world congratulated Bulgarians on the occasion of their National Holiday, March 3, the day of Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman Rule in 1878.

President Rumen Radev received congratulatory letters from a number of world leaders on the occasion of this country's National Holiday, his press secretariat reported on Saturday.

In his congratulatory letter Russian President Vladimir Putin says that "the immortal feat of the Russian soldiers and the Bulgarian volunteers who fought heroically for Bulgaria's freedom and independence will remain in the memory of our two peoples. Putin voices certainty that the joint historical traditions of fraternal friendship and mutual help, cultural and spiritual closeness, will continue to be a reliable foundation for the development of cooperation in all spheres between Bulgaria and Russia.

United States President Donald Trump, too, sent a congratulatory letter to Radev, saying that Bulgaria is an important ally in NATO and that the US values the long cooperation and friendship with Bulgaria.

Letters were also received from the presidents and heads of State of France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and many other countries.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov received a letter from his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev, the government's information service reported Saturday. In the letter, Medvedev writes that the feat of the Russian soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers who fought in the battles on Mount Shipka and Pleven will remain in the history of the two countries. Medvedev also says that the active work of the governments of Bulgaria and Russia will continue to advance the strengthening of cooperation in trade, business and investments and create favourable conditions for the progress of projects in the energy sector.

Borissov also received a letter from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Turkish head of State says in the letter that the achievements and cooperation in every area between Bulgaria and Turkey attained during the term in office of the incumbent government of Bulgaria will continue to develop on the basis of mutual interests. "To achieve this goal, we need to continue our joint work with determination," Erdogan says, wishing prosperity to "the friendly Bulgarian people". MY/ZH//