Minister Kristian Vigenin met with Ambassador Matthias Höpfner
05 July 2013 News
“Germany is an important key partner for Bulgaria and our relations are of strategic importance to us. There are traditionally good relations between the countries, on the basis of which we can develop more active co-operation in fields of common interest,” Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin said at a meeting with the Ambassador of Germany, Matthias Höpfner.
It is of crucial importance to our country to increase German investment in Bulgaria and we should strengthen their partnership in this regard, the Foreign Minister said. This is precisely one of the main priorities of the current government, attracting foreign investment, Kristian Vigenin said. All institutions that are involved in this issue, including the MFA, are working in co-operation to improve the business environment in the country and secure investments, he said.
The economic aspect is really important in our bilateral relations, Ambassador Höpfner said. Bulgaria and Germany have a very deep and long-standing traditional friendship, which should strengthen further, he said. Ambassador Höpfner pointed out that the large number of Bulgarian students in Germany contributes to a solid historical basis on which to build the partnership between our two countries.
The government does not focus on short-term goals, we look at the long term and will work for the people and transparency. These are the principles by which the work of the Foreign Ministry will be led - creating a professional, effective diplomatic service, Kristian Vigenin said. The Bulgarian government will seek the active support of Germany in various fields in which the country can share experiences and best practices, he said.
Kristian Vigenin said that one of Bulgaria’s top priorities in foreign policy was a focus on the region of Southeast Europe and the Black Sea region. "Here our role may be much greater than it was before. I think that Bulgaria has the knowledge and experience to show more Europe in the region, as well as more of the region in Europe,” Kristian Vigenin said. We very much appreciate the regional focus in your foreign policy, Ambassador Höpfner said. Bulgaria does have specific expertise and this is very important for the development of the region and the whole of Europe, the German diplomat added.
They also discussed the process of European integration of the Western Balkan countries, the economic potential of the Danube region and opportunities for active communication and co-operation between Bulgaria and Germany in Southeastern Europe and the Black Sea region.