site.btaVice President Iotova Meets Argentina's Chaco Province Governor Zdero

Vice President Iliana Iotova Friday received a delegation from Argentina's Chaco Province, the President's Press Secretariat said. Governor Leandro Zdero said the Bulgarians in Chaco Province "are our brothers", they have a strong presence in the local community with their customs and traditions, and are well integrated in Argentine society.

Zdero added that the local people have a chance to sample everything from Bulgarian cuisine to history to culture.

Some 50,000 people of Bulgarian origin live in Argentina. The Bulgarian community traces its roots there to the turn of the 20th century.

Iotova said: "The Bulgarian community in Argentina is the natural bridge for the development of bilateral relations." She thanked that country for its good policy towards the different communities, which helps them preserve their identity, language and culture. The Vice President told the delegation about a number of initiatives she has carried out together with the Bulgarian community in Chaco Province. "We want to get to know each other, to strengthen contacts between the two countries and the two peoples, to promote in Bulgaria people with Bulgarian roots who have left their mark on Argentine society," Iotova said.

The discussion focused on the high level of the political relations between Bulgaria and Argentina, as well as on the untapped significant potential for cooperation in areas including trade and investment, culture, education and science, research and innovation, new technologies, agriculture and tourism. The sides concurred on the need to update the bilateral agreements and to see that the Joint Bulgarian-Argentine Commission for Economic Cooperation starts working.

The Vice President received an official invitation to visit Argentina.