Bulgaria becomes a regional educational centre of the Francophonie
01 October 2012 News
“The longstanding collaboration with the International Organisation of La Francophonie has taken a further step,” Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov said after the signing of an agreement on locating in Sofia a Bureau of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, which will assist and co-ordinate co-operation in South Eastern Europe in the field of Francophone education at university level.
Minister Mladenov pointed to the longstanding traditions and strength of Francophone education in Bulgaria, the result of the efforts of an entire community. He expressed the hope that next year more students from third countries would be trained in Francophone areas in Bulgarian universities, thanks to this new regional centre.
Professor Bernard Cerquiglini, Executive Director of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie, welcomed the signing of the agreement, the result of strenuous efforts by the Foreign Ministry and the Bulgarian academic community. Professor Cerquiglini said that the agreement would enable the dissemination of best practices in teaching the French language, in the development of human resources and in the mobility of students and teachers.
The signing ceremony was attended by ambassadors and diplomats from the embassies of the member countries of the International Organization of La Francophonie, rectors and professors from Bulgarian universities.
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