site.btaPM Borissov's Meetings at 56th Munich Security Conference

February 16 (BTA) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines  of the 56th Munich Security Conference, the Government Information Service said.

Meeting with American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO David Harris on Saturday, Borissov thanked the Jewish community for its support for Bulgaria during the years of transition to democracy, in the process of the country's accession to the EU and NATO, and in the expansion of bilateral dialogue with the United States. Borissov said Bulgaria will continue to rely on the support of the American Jewish organizations to promote the untapped potential for economic and trade cooperation with the United States. The Prime Minister said Bulgaria supports the AJC's effort in counteracting anti-Semitism and extremism and protecting the rights and freedoms of all people.

Borissov next met with Moldovan President Igor Dodon. This was their second meeting in less than a year. Borissov said that the active dialogue at the highest level between Bulgaria and Moldova is proof that they see each other as important partners. He said steps should be taken to reverse the drop in two-way trade, noting that the intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation should step up its work. Borissov also talked about the Bulgarian community in Moldova, saying that the 60,000 Bulgarians there are a natural bridge of friendship and cooperation.

Borissov conferred with the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir. The Prime Minister noted that Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia play an important role in their regions and outlined possibilities for expansion of the bilateral partnership in security, anti-terrorism, the economy, investments, farming, hi-tech, energy and tourism. The two officials expressed a wish for a regular exchange of views on important international and regional matters.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister met with his Armenian counterpart Nikol Pashinyan. Borissov voiced Bulgaria's support for the government led by Pashinyan and the reforms it implements, noting that the progress of the reforms and keeping the political stability in Armenia will contribute to the welfare of the Caucasus region.

Trade between Bulgaria and Armenia stood at 19.576 million US dollars in January-June 2019 and was dominated by Bulgarian exports worth 18.343 million dollars. Borissov and Pashinyan discussed bilateral cooperation in culture, science, education and tourism.

Conferring with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, Borissov congratulated him on the election to the post. In Borissov's words, the formation of a cabinet in Kosovo showed a high level of political maturity. Borissov said that there is untapped potential in cooperation in the economy, investments and tourism, adding that the record-high commercial exchange of 77. 6 million euro in 2018 gives grounds for optimism.

Borissov paid special attention to the European integration of the countries of the Western Balkans, which he said is of strategic interest to Bulgaria.

In his Facebook account Borissov wrote about his meetings with the President of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, with Wolfgang Schaeuble, the President of the German Bundestag, with the former prime minister of Qatar, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber bin Mohammed bin Thani Al Thani, with former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, with Serbia's European Integration Minister Jadranka Joksimovic, with North Macedonia's President Stevo Pendarovski, with Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government, with former US secretary of state John Kerry, and with Admiral James Gordon Foggo III, Commander, US Naval Forces Europe and Africa and Commander, NATO Allied Joint Force Command Naples.

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During a roundtable dedicated to security on the Balkans Borissov said, as quoted by the information service of the Bulgarian government, that the countries of the Western Balkans are no longer at a crossroads, having made the strategic choice of a European future.

Borissov voiced a hope that the EU-Western Balkans Zagreb Summit in May will lend a new dynamic to the EU enlargement process. He also said that the focus on the European integration of the countries of the Western Balkans remains one of the key priorities of Bulgaria's foreign policy. Borissov noted the importance of transport and digital connectivity and energy cooperation. RI/ZH/DD
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