site.btaBulgaria and Japan's Parliaments Speakers Discuss Parliamentary Relations

Bulgarian National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan and Japan’s visiting House of Representatives Speaker Fukushiro Nukaga discussed the intensification of the parliamentary relations between Bulgaria and Japan at a media briefing in the National Assembly on Monday.

The official visit began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in central Sofia.

The year 2024 marks three anniversaries in the relations between the two countries: 115 years since the first official contacts, 85 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations and 65 years since their restoration.

Nazaryan noted that this meeting is emblematic and long-awaited, the first such meeting in the last 24 years, moreover, against the backdrop of a year that marks the three anniversaries. “This year we have managed to strengthen parliamentary relations at the level of friendship groups, chairmen, parliamentary committees”, National Assembly Chair said, adding that this is the third Japanese delegation in Bulgaria in the last six months.

Nukaga noted that he is glad to have the opportunity to celebrate this significant moment, the triple anniversary in bilateral relations, together with the National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan. He also expressed gratitude for the warm welcome for the Friendship Group with Bulgaria in the House of Councillors of the Japanese Parliament, which payed an official visit to Sofia in August. 

Economic and business cooperation between Bulgaria and Japan dominated the talks between the two parliament leaders.

“The topics we are discussing, besides the long-standing good relations between the two countries, are strengthening the economic relations in the business environment, energy, tourism and increasing the export of Bulgarian goods to Japan”, Nazaryan said. In her words, thanks to the embassies in Sofia and Tokyo, a plan has been drawn up for holding various conferences and forums by the end of the year and for the next one, which will strengthen the economic cooperation, bilateral relations, partnership in the field of innovation, technology, artificial intelligence, robotics. 

During the talks, the good results in bilateral relations were also noted, namely the signed memoranda between the Bulgarian Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) and the Japanese national research agency RIKEN for joint research in the field of innovation, technology and artificial intelligence.

The Bulgarian side expressed gratitude to the Toyota Company which has launched a collaborative project with INSAIT.

Nukaga said that Bulgaria is "an important partner for Japan with whom we share common values", adding that they would like to expand their cooperation with EU and NATO member Bulgaria.

Japanese companies and research centres are increasingly paying attention to Bulgaria's excellent IT specialists as the country strives to become a regional innovation hub, Nukaga said. He pointed out that in October this year a Japanese business delegation from Japan External Trade Organization will visit Bulgaria. “I hope in this way we will cooperate to further develop our economic relations”, Nukaga added.

Japan’s House of Representatives Speaker noted that next year the World Expo 2025 will be held in Osaka and this is an excellent opportunity to show the “charm” of Bulgaria to Japan and the world.

During his visit to Bulgaria, Fukushiro Nukaga will hold talks with President Rumen Radev and with the caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev.