site.btaPresident Radev to Japan's PM Abe: Bulgaria Is Open to Much More Active Economic, Investment Partnership

October 24 (BTA) - Meeting with Japan's Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday, President Rumen Radev said
Bulgaria is open to much more active economic and investment
partnership with Japan, his press secretariat said. Radev is in
Tokyo for Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony.

The President said the successful examples of cooperation
between Bulgarian and Japanese companies in the automotive
industry, energy and the food industry should serve as a model
for further expansion of Japanese investments in Bulgaria.

Radev recalled Bulgaria's strong traditions in car parts
manufacture and IT development. Prime Minister Abe stressed that
 Japanese car makers give high marks to the components and parts
 supplied by Bulgaria, adding that Japan is interested in even
closer cooperation in that area.

Talking about Bulgaria's competitive advantages, Radev noted its
strategic location, qualified labour force and the best
price/quality ratio in the EU. "However, the most important
things about our bilateral relations are the trust and
friendship between the two peoples," said Radev. He also
highlighted Japan's strong cultural presence in Bulgaria and the
 growing interest in Japanese language studies among Bulgarian
school and university students.

Radev and Abe also discussed matters on the international
agenda, the EU integration of the countries of the Western
Balkans and the potential global security risks. RY/DD 

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