site.bta President Plevneliev Congratulates President-Elect Trump, Bulgarian Politicians Comment Americans' Vote

President Plevneliev Congratulates President-Elect Trump, Bulgarian Politicians Comment Americans' Vote

Sofia, November 9 (BTA) - Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has sent a congratulatory message to US President-elect Donald Trump Wednesday, said the Presidential Press Secretariat. He expresses conviction that the only way to successfully counter the present-day challenges and threats, and to aspire to a safer and a more united world, is through joint efforts.

"Bulgaria and the United States share common views and similar assessment of the most important world events, which is manifested in their close cooperation as strategic partners," President Plevneliev writes.

He goes on to bring up the issue of Bulgaria's desire to see a US visa waiver for Bulgarian citizens. "I hope that the dynamics of our cooperation will find expression in broadening the opportunities for direct contacts between the people of the two countries and progress in the dialogue on lifting the visa restrictions for Bulgarian citizens travelling to the US," the message says.

According to the Bulgarian President, bilateral relations have never been as close, friendly and fruitful as they are now.

He goes on to say that cooperation aimed at increasing two-way trade and investment remains a top priority for Bulgaria in its relations with the US.

More Bulgarian politicians commented the election of Donald Trump to become the 45th President of the US.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov opened the government's weekly meeting with a congratulatory remark about Trump's election.

The floor leader of Borissov's GERB party, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, said Trump should not be expected to cause a dramatic change in US policies and bilateral relations. "I am sure that with a strong democracy and well-structured state institutions [as America's], there is no reason why they shouldn't continue to work as they have been until now," said Tsvetanov.

Socialist MP and former Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin agrees that a tangible change is unlikely in Bulgaria-US relations. He expects, though, a new kind of relations between the US and Russia. "If this happens, so much better for Bulgaria because the confrontation between the US and Russia has been causing problems, including internal problems, in Bulgaria," he said.

Vigenin likened the US elections to the first round of presidential elections in Bulgaria three days earlier where a retired Air Force general won the most votes. "People are tired of politics the way it has been. They seek change and put their hopes for change on people who are not part of the Establishment," the former top Bulgarian diplomat told reporters. He sees in this voting pattern "a cry for change" and said if politicians fail to understand this, they will be severely punished.