site.btaBulgarian President Radev Pays Official Visit to Israel

Jerusalem, March 19 (BTA special correspondent Lora Metanova) - Bulgarian President Rumen Radev started an official visit to Israel on Tuesday at the invitation of Israeli President Reuben Rivlin. The visit is taking place within the context of the 75th anniversary of the saving of the Bulgarian Jews from the Holocaust and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel.

On the first day of the visit, Radev conferred with his host at the Presidential Palace in Jerusalem. "As a high-tech leader, Israel would be interested in investing in Bulgaria's potential in this field," the Bulgarian head of State said. He added that his country is increasingly turning into a centre for ICT and scientific research in Southeastern Europe.

"The friendship between our peoples was proved in a most categorical way during the arduous years of World War II," Radev said further on. He pointed out that he is proud of the unprecedented act in which the Bulgarians saved their Jews and did not allow a single one of them to be deported to the death camps. "We thus wrote one of the brightest pages in both Bulgarian and European history," the President noted.

"Thanks to the steadfast efforts of several generations, the State of Israel now has effective institutions, democracy and advanced civil society. Our Bulgarian Jews, who chose Israel for their home country and kept the link between our two peoples forever alive, have also contributed to these achievements," Radev said.

In his words, "the State of Israel now sets a progressive role model for development which owes its success to citizens' public commitment, the quality of education, decent pay, investments in the economy and sectors where science guarantees high value added. That is why Bulgaria is open to pursue further our cooperation, exchanges in investments, research, the economy and trade."

"I would like to assure you that, as holder of the EU Council Presidency, Bulgaria will continue to make efforts for the resumption of the Middle East peace process negotiations for finding lasting and effective solutions leading to peace and stability in the region. I am confident that together we will keep a firm stand against terrorism and we will be working for building regional and global stability," the guest said further on.

Rivlin said that "fighting hatred and the rise of extremism is one of the major challenges confronting us." He also noted the responsibility to pass on to the young generations the values of tolerance and democracy. The Israeli President stressed that the Jewish people will never forget the courageous act of the Bulgarian people who saved the Bulgarian Jews.

Rivlin pointed out that ample opportunities exist for bilateral cooperation in trade, high technology and tourism.

Radev's visit continues the top-level dialogue between the two countries. The opportunities for deepening cooperation in all areas of shared interest, including security, counter-terrorism, the economy and investments, will be on the agenda of the Bulgarian President's meetings in Israel.

Later on Tuesday, the guest met with members of the organizations of Bulgarian Jews in Israel.

"You are Bulgaria's best ambassadors. We highly appreciate your activity," he told his audience.

Radev noted that the saving of the Bulgarian Jews from the Holocaust was not accidental but was due to the fact that the Jewish community in Bulgaria has always been fully integrated and an integral part of Bulgarian society. "Bulgarian Jews have always been and remain in the forefront of Bulgaria's science, education and arts. Bulgaria continues to value highly its Jewish community," he added.

The President commented the current trends of resurgence of xenophobia, anti-Semitism and hatred in Europe and worldwide. "We staunchly oppose these manifestations and are resolved to fight them to a maximum extent," he stated, recalling that Bulgaria is one of the first EU Member States to adopt the definition of anti-Semitism.