site.btaDay 3 of President Radev's Visit to Riyadh

President Rumen Radev is visiting Saudi Arabia to take part in the Future Investment Initiative international forum. On Wednesday, his third day Riyadh, he held meetings with Jordan’s Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah, Saudi Arabia's Investment Minister Khalid A. Al-Falih, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan.

During his meeting with Jordan’s Crown, Radev expressed Bulgaria’s appreciation for Jordan’s consistent policy of providing aid to refugees from Palestine, noting that this effort is crucial in limiting migration flows to Europe and deserves timely support from the European Union and the international community.

The Bulgarian President and Saudi Arabia's Investment Minister highlighted high technology, robotics, mechatronics, the development of artificial intelligence, space research, and tourism were highlighted as particularly promising areas for bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Both countries have companies that are developing rapidly in these fields, creating favourable conditions for the implementation of joint projects.

Radev and Kosovo's President discussed topics on the agenda of regional cooperation and the European integration of the Western Balkan countries. The two heads  of state agreed that the progress of countries applying for EU membership should be assessed based on their own achievements and the reforms they have actually implemented.

In his meeting with the Public Investment Fund Governor, the Bulgarian head of State stressed that if the European Union follows through on its plan to completely stop importing Russian gas by 2027, Europe will require additional natural gas supplies. Saudi Arabia plays a key role in helping prevent energy shortages. The President highlighted Bulgaria's potential as a transit hub for natural gas to Central and Eastern Europe, via LNG terminals in Greece and Turkiye, and through agreements with the gas transmission companies of both countries.