site.btaUPDATED President Radev in Vietnam: Wise Diplomacy Can Prevent War, Restore Peace, Lead to Stability and Progress

Wise diplomacy can prevent war, restore peace and bring stability and progress, President Rumen Radev said at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, where he delivered a lecture dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the Asian country. The Bulgarian head of State is paying an official visit to Vietnam.

“My visit to Vietnam on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations is a decisive step forward in the development of our relations,” Radev told the young people in the hall who have chosen to become diplomats. “This is a very important profession for the future, not even a profession, but a vocation for the future. Because the world has become an arena of strong and often even fierce competition and fragile international relations,” the President said.

“In order to survive and develop, states must protect and promote their interests. And diplomacy is about promoting interests. That is why I believe that diplomacy is the most powerful and effective tool to achieve this goal. The role of diplomacy will grow over time. History has shown that bad diplomatic decisions can easily lead to wars, poverty and suffering. Wise diplomacy can prevent war, restore peace and lead to stability and progress,” Radev stressed.

“Being a good diplomat is the best way to serve your country, uphold the interests of your people and continue Vietnam's progress and international integration. That is why I am here, because I would like to see the development of relations between Vietnam and Bulgaria at the next stage,” the President said.

Bulgaria was one of the first ten countries to recognise Vietnam's independence in 1950, Radev recalled. From 1972 to 1989, more than 30,000 Vietnamese worked in Bulgaria and 5,000 of them received their higher education diplomas at Bulgarian universities. "We are proud that with the knowledge, skills and experience acquired in Bulgaria, all these people were able to contribute to the development of Vietnam," Radev said. 

He spoke about his meeting with the community of Vietnamese citizens who have studied and worked in Bulgaria - representatives of the Vietnam-Bulgaria Friendship Association. After a 40-year hiatus, Vietnamese pilots will again be trained at the Georgi Benkovski Higher Air Force School, Radev said at the meeting. "Trust is the most important capital in international relations and these people are a bridge between our nations and have worked all their lives to build trust," the President noted. "We highly appreciate everything they have done for our relations. Of course, there have been ups and downs. In the 1990s, our relations were not so intense as Vietnam and Bulgaria chose different paths for political development, but in the past decade we have seen significant improvement and active political development at all levels of our governments," the President said. "Over the years, we have developed a comprehensive legal framework in all areas of mutual interest ranging from education, economy, defence, home affairs and many others," he added.

Diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Vietnam were established on February 8, 1950 at the level of legations, and on November 25, 1956 relations between the two countries were elevated to the rank of embassies. The first Bulgarian ambassador (based in Beijing) presented his credentials on December 9, 1956. From June 26, 1957 the Bulgarian ambassador to Vietnam was based in Hanoi. At present, there are two Commercial and Economic Affairs Offices in Vietnam - at the Embassy in Hanoi and in the country's economic centre Ho Chi Minh City, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs on its website.