Deputy Minister Petrova met with South African Ambassador Thabo Thage
25 May 2022 News
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Velislava Petrova met with the Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa Thabo Thage. Topics of discussion were bilateral co-operation, opportunities to strenghten economic ties, and the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
"South Africa is a key strategic partner of Bulgaria in sub-Saharan Africa", said the Deputy Minister and stressed the upward development of relations between Bulgaria and South Africa.
The two discussed opportunities to promote trade, economic co-operation, specifically in the field of shipbuilding and technical support. In the context of the situation in Ukraine, opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in using new, alternative sea routes for the export of goods and services were also discussed. Ambassador Thage described the ports of Varna and Bourgas as strategic for the development of economic relations.
Strengthening relations in the field of education and science has been identified as a priority area for development. "University education is a long-term investment in our bilateral co-operation", said Deputy Minister Petrova. For his part, the Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa confirmed the interest of young South Africans in specialties such as medicine and engineering, in which Bulgaria has good traditions.
Within the framework of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the Republic of South Africa, the specific events and possible high-level visits to Pretoria were discussed, as well as the organization of a business forum.