Tourism, trade and culture are priorities in relations between Bulgaria and Asian countries
09 December 2014 News
"Bulgaria has a direct and consistent interest in the Asia-Pacific region. Our country recognizes the growing importance of the region in world politics, economy and finance. We are also fully aware of the ever-growing role Asian countries have as a factor for peace and stability, energy security, combating security threats, tackling climate change and solving the development problems," Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov said at today’s meeting with ambassadors of Asian countries.
The Foreign Minister noted the traditionally good relations between Bulgaria and the Asian countries, and assured the diplomats that the Bulgarian government has the political will to strengthen friendship and cooperation with these countries. As a EU member state, Bulgaria contributes to the common EU foreign policy in respect to the countries in the region, including in dialogue at the highest level, added Minister Mitov. Our country also participates in the drafting and negotiating partnership and cooperation agreements, as well as free-trade agreements between the EU and a number of countries of the region.
The Asian ambassadors identified tourism, trade, economic and cultural relations as priority areas in the relations with Bulgaria. They welcomed the decision of the Bulgarian authorities to establish a Ministry of Tourism for first time in recent history. The participants in the meeting agreed that there is considerable untapped potential for cooperation in tourism, in which Bulgaria sets great store.
Minister Mitov assured his guests that Bulgaria also seeks to intensify the economic contacts with the countries of the region by attracting investment and financial resources, technologies, and by increasing bilateral trade, including the export of Bulgarian goods and services, establishing regular contacts between partners in Bulgaria and the Asian countries.