Kristian Vigenin: Bulgaria welcomes the active dialogue between the EU and Morocco
13 March 2014 News
Bulgaria is ready to share its experience of over 20 years of democratic transition, said Minister Kristian Vigenin at the meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco Abdelilah Benkirane within the first highest level visit since 2005. Morocco is the first country in North Africa which Minister Vigenin visits since the beginning of his term. He called for the promotion of political dialogue between the two countries and for increase of the visits of official Moroccan representatives to Bulgaria.
"Bulgaria welcomes the active dialogue between the EU and Morocco and supports the transition from advanced status to "strategic partnership" which will further encourage our bilateral cooperation," said Minister Vigenin. Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane pointed out that this year for the first time Moroccan companies will participate in the International Fair in Plovdiv, adding that it is necessary to expand and diversify the trade and economic relations, which will lead to concrete results such as an increase in trade and participation of companies from the two countries in joint business forums and exhibitions, as well as implementation of joint projects.
The same position was advocated during the meetings of the Bulgarian Foreign Minister with the Speaker of the House of Advisers,Mohamed Sheikh Biadillah,and the President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, Nizar Baraka.
In the conversation with Nizar Baraka, the priority areas for future cooperation between the two countries such as training of personnel from the Moroccan administration in Bulgaria, including with EU funds , were outlined. They also identified areas in which both countries could have a fruitful cooperation with the aim of increasing their competitiveness.
Kristian Vigenin presented to the Moroccan Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Diplomatic Institute to the MFA and the Diplomatic Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco. The two top diplomats discussed also the possibilities for a more intensive exchange of diplomats between the two ministries.
Vigenin informed his counterpart that the Program of Cultural, Educational and Scientific Cooperation, as well as the Agreements in the social sphere are in the final stage of preparation. The need to reinforce the work of the Bulgarian - Moroccan Business Council with the aim of intensifying the business contacts between the two countries was also discussed. Vigenin extended an invitation to Minister Salaheddine Mezouar to visit Bulgaria, which was accepted.
During his one-day visit, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister will hold meeting with the advisor to the King on foreign affairsand former Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri. Minister Vigenin will also deliver a lecture before the Moroccan Diplomatic Academy on the topic “The role of Bulgaria for the European integration of the states in South-Eastern Europe” .
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