site.btaPM Borissov on Official Visit to Egypt

104 POLITICS - PM - BULGARIA - EGYPT update 1

PM Borissov on
Official Visit to
Egypt


Cairo, October 23 (BTA correspondent Hristo Vodenov) - During his official visit to Egypt on Tuesday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov conferred with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The two officials agreed that a joint commission comprising ministers of Bulgaria and Egypt will strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries.

The meeting was held in a friendly spirit. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi noted that the talks reflected the mutual understanding and friendly relations between Bulgaria and Egypt which are more than 90 years long.

The sides agreed to cooperate in the area of education, healthcare, digital technologies, among others.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said that Bulgaria provides an opportunity to send a message that Egypt is important for the regional stability. The two officials discussed the Libyan and Syrian crises, the importance of coordinated positions and also of finding a just solution to the Palestinian crisis.

The joint commission is to hold a meeting at the start of 2019, and meet once again by the end of the year. After that, the commission will convene once a year. The participants in the talks also discussed trans-border crime and migration.

Borissov stressed the importance of the "bridges of education, science and innovations" between the two countries. He spoke about the joint interest in healthcare, farming and tourism. "The same as Egypt has a big gas field, we can provide food for many people in the region. To put these things in motion we will need the joint commission, where all ministers of the two countries' cabinets will participate," Borissov said.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister said that the two countries can help each other in the fight against illegal migration, illegal export of cultural artefacts, against terrorism.

Borissov said he relayed greetings to his host from European Council President Donald Tusk.

Borissov noted the timeliness of the visit, given that a European Council-Egypt meeting is scheduled to take place in Cairo in February 2019.

After his arrival in Egypt on Monday, Borissov met with Prime Minister Mostafa Kemal Madbouly and told him, as quoted by his press office, that Bulgaria wants to see a tangible and lasting activation of political dialogue with Egypt.

This visit by the Bulgarian government leader is the second at this level in the history of bilateral relations.

Borissov said that Bulgaria aims to maintain active political dialogue on all levels with traditional partners in the Middle East and North Africa.

He also said that Bulgaria is ready to develop mutually advantageous relations with Egypt in all areas of shared interest: economy, the energy sector, agriculture, security, tourism, culture, education, to mention but a few.

On Borissov's delegation are Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva and Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov. RY/LN, ZH//