site.btaFM Gabriel: There's Potential for Development of Bulgaria's Cooperation with Asia-Pacific Countries

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel hosted a meeting with ambassadors of Asian countries accredited in Bulgaria, the Foreign Ministry said late on Thursday evening. 

The meeting was held on the initiative of the Ambassador of Mongolia and was also attended by the ambassadors of India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries are increasingly important in the world economy, politics, high technology and play a key role in a number of issues on the global agenda. The region is home to countries with global ambitions and roles and strategic partners of the European Union (EU), as well as members of important regional and international organisations and formations such as the UN, the G7, the G20, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).  

"Bulgaria maintains traditional friendly relations with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. We attach high priority to the development of our cooperation, both bilaterally and in multilateral forums. The potential for future economic ties such as trade, investment, tourism is huge," Deputy Prime Minister Gabriel stressed.

She noted that Bulgaria is an active participant in the formulation and implementation of the EU policy towards Asia.

The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed her gratitude to the ambassadors and their countries for the support received in the process of joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). 

Among the topics discussed at the meeting were enhancing high-level exchanges through policy consultations and joint economic committees, developing economic and technological cooperation as well as educational exchanges, attracting investment in strategic industrial sectors such as green economy, clean energy, innovation, agriculture and food production, improving connectivity with Asia through direct flights, regular rail links, logistics hubs.