site.btaVice President Iotova Discusses Bilateral Ties With New French Ambassador in Sofia

Sofia, October 14 (BTA) - At a meeting here on Monday, Vice President Iliana Iotova and new French Ambassador to Bulgaria Florence Robine discussed the bilateral ties between their countries and the challenges facing the European Union. 

Ambassador Robine said that when French President Emmanuel Macron sent her to Bulgaria, he stressed the excellent relations between the two countries.

The talks focused on the development of bilateral cooperation in education and science. The sides shared the opinion that the quality of education is key to the overall development of the person, society and State. Iotova and Robine discussed the problem with the inclusion of children from vulnerable groups in the education system, as well as the disrupted balance between education and professional skills and the labour market's requirements. They rallied around the position that education should work hand in hand with businesses. The French Ambassador expressed readiness for a series of joint projects with Bulgaria. 

Iotova and Robine agreed that more investments are needed in science and that young people's interest in it should be developed.

They discussed the future European Commission. The Bulgarian Vice President underscored that its members should be strong, brave and responsible people who would offer working solutions to the crises in Europe. "Unfortunately, the previous European Commission did not manage to do almost anything about the migrant issue, and today it is on the agenda with a new force," Iotova said.

Iotova mentioned double standards as one of the main problems in the EU, giving as an example the refusal to allow Bulgaria in the Schengen area not for technical but for political reasons. "The appearance of these double standards trample on our citizens' faith in united Europe, in common European values," she said. She stressed that Bulgaria has proven itself as a loyal partner and guarantor for security in the Balkan region, as well as in the entire EU as its external border.

DT/DS

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