Bulgaria confirms support for Armenia’s rapprochement with EU
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The bilateral cooperation between Bulgaria and Armenia in the political and economic sphere, energy security, transport, the cultural and educational exchange, as well as collaboration in the implementation of development policies were the topics discussed during the political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and Armenia held in Yerevan on April 23.
The delegations of Bulgaria and Armenia were headed, respectively, by Deputy Foreign Minister Yiri Sterk of Bulgaria and his Armenian counterpart Avet Adonts.
The parties underscored the traditionally friendly relations between their countries, based on the long-standing historical and cultural ties between the two peoples. They noted the complete absence of any outstanding issues between Bulgaria and Armenia.
The parties shared the opinion that there is as yet untapped potential in the area of trade and economic cooperation, which does not match the otherwise very good level of bilateral relations. They expressed hope that the Eighth Session of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic and Techno-scientific Cooperation and the accompanying business forum held recently in Yerevan have provided enabling conditions for accelerating the dynamic of the trade and economic ties between the countries. The Armenian side voiced its high appreciation of the assistance Bulgaria provides in the context of their bilateral cooperation for development in areas of priority for Armenia, as well as for promoting human rights, the establishment of functioning democratic institutions, and the social integration of children with disabilities.
Deputy Minister Sterk reaffirmed the Bulgarian position in support of the process of rapprochement and broadening of relations between the European Union and Armenia, as well as of the democratic reforms undertaken by the government of Prime Minister Pashinyan. He also stated the readiness of the Bulgarian side to provide assistance to Armenia for the implementation of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement in key areas. Deputy Minister Adonts expressed his gratitude to Bulgaria for being among the first EU Member States to have ratified the Agreement.
During their talks the parties also discussed the security environment in the South Caucasus and the Black Sea regions, the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership initiative, as well as their cooperation in the context of the UN and other international organizations.
Within the framework of his trip, Minister Sterk visited the small-group family-type children’s home established in the city of Vanadzor with the financial support of Bulgaria, where he was welcomed by the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia Janna Andreasyan, the head of the UNICEF Office in Armenia Tanja Radocaj, and social workers employed by the facility. In an informal exchange, the Armenian hosts expressed their gratitude to the Bulgarian Government for the opportunity to draw on the Bulgarian experience and good practices in pursuing the child care reform in Armenia.
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