site.btaForeign Minister, Economy Minister Sign Cooperation Agreement for Specialized Training of Trade and Economic Affairs Offices Heads Abroad

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel and Economy Minister Bogdan Bogdanov signed an agreement on cooperation for specialized training and preparation of the heads of the Trade and Economic Affairs Offices (TEAO) of Bulgaria's diplomatic missions abroad, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

"We are sending a message of interaction, coordination and common goals for Bulgaria's foreign policy and trade and economic relations. The agreement between the Foreign Ministry and the Economy Ministry is a sign that in order to achieve the country's foreign policy priorities, the expertise of the trade and economic attachés is key. Together we can shape the solutions of the future," Gabriel was quoted as saying by the Foreign Ministry.

The signed agreement aims at synchronizing Bulgaria's strategic priorities in foreign policy and the activities of the TEAO of the country's missions abroad, the Foreign Ministry noted. The agreement focuses on regular specialized training courses in the field of economic diplomacy for officials. The aim is to broaden knowledge of national and international mechanisms for developing economic cooperation and putting diplomatic skills into practice.

At the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that 12% of the candidates who applied to be Bulgaria's new trade representatives abroad were Bulgarians living outside the country.