Bulgarian yoghurt creates a feeling of connection. A connection between the producer and the consumer, a feeling of connection between the national and international consumer, between Bulgarians and Japanese, between governments and research scientists, Assoc. Prof. Maria Yotova from Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto at an international seminar, held at Sofia University Friday evening on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bulgarian yoghurt production in Japan.
The event was organized by Sofia University's Faculty of Economics and is part of the Faculty's tradition of organising summer international forums.
"I believe that Bulgarian yogurt is much more than food. It is a bridge between our cultures and in the globalizing world," said Yotova.
"We see this event as a trigger to activate the bilateral relations, which have traditionally been friendly since Bulgarian yoghurt entered the Japanese market," said caretaker Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Nikolay Pavlov. "Japan is an important partner of our country and over the years we have established important relations. We highly appreciate our cooperation with [the Japanese dairy corporation] Meiji, which contributes to the development of bilateral economic ties," he said.
The Deputy Minister assured the audience that the two countries have the will to deepen their contacts by expanding activities in other economic and scientific fields. Pavlov said that the discussions continue on the establishment of a new joint research institute in Bulgaria.
"I am convinced that Japan is the only country in the world where each of its citizens knows the name of your country. And this is due solely to Meiji over the last 50 years. Their contribution is invaluable," said Japanese Ambassador to Bulgaria Michigami Hisashi. His personal feeling is, however, that this contribution is underestimated.
He reiterated that his mission as Japan's Ambassador to Bulgaria is to revitalize bilateral ties, which have traditionally been good, but there is much unrealised potential in every area - business, academia, tourism, culture, sports.
"My mission is to develop and strengthen our bilateral ties. Currently Japanese business is not represented in Bulgaria very strongly, but its presence is not weak either", the Japanese Ambassador said.
