site.btaNational Assembly Chair Karayancheva Meets with Japanese Emperor Akihito

November 19 (BTA) - Bulgarian National Assembly Chair
Tsveta Karayancheva is on a working visit in Tokyo, the National
 Assembly's press centre reported Monday. At her audience with
Emperor Akihito, Karayancheva said that Bulgarian-Japanese
relations are a priority in this country's foreign policy
because of the EU-Japan strategic partnership and Bulgaria's
interests in attracting investments and technological
development.

The visiting delegation includes Bulgaria-Japan Friendship Group
 Deputy Chair Ihsan Halil and the group's members Dimiter
Danchev, Nikolai Alexandrov and Plamen Hristov, as well as
Deputy Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev.

Karayancheva noted that 2019 is important for the two countries'
 bilateral relations as two anniversaries will be observed - 110
 years since Bulgaria and Japan came into contact, and 80 years
since they started diplomatic relations. She said they will be
commemorated with a rich cultural programme and high-level
meetings, which will help the two nations gain further knowledge
 of each other and come together, and boost bilateral exchange
in all spheres of common interest.

"Bulgarians traditionally hold deep sympathy and respect for
Japanese diligence, tolerance and rich spiritual culture,"
Karayancheva said, adding that Japan is popular in Bulgaria for
its contribution to world civilization and for its economic and
technological advancements.

The Bulgarian Parliament's Chair noted she would welcome members
 of the Emperor's family in Bulgaria. According to her, the rich
 cultural and academic dialogue is a key factor for
strengthening relations and mutually getting to know local
cultures, customs and traditions. Karayancheva said she was glad
 to see stronger cooperation in the spheres of science and
technology, expressing gratitude for the Japanese State grants
allocated to Bulgarian under- and postgraduates' education.

Active relations between Bulgarian and Japanese municipalities
were also on the agenda. Karayancheva noted that Bulgaria has
been following the interaction between the two countries on the
host town initiative for conducting training camps for the 2020
Summer Olympics. RY/TH