15.01.2020
"The breakthrough in the political relations between Bulgaria and Egypt that we have achieved over the last two years can give a new practical expression of our cooperation in all spheres."
This is what Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said during his meeting with the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah As-Sisi. The two spoke during the official launch of the Berenice Naval Base on the coast of the Red Sea. Prime Minister Borissov noted that due to the constructive political dialogue from 2018 until now, a new page of developing the bilateral cooperation in all spheres - political, economic, cultural, educational, related to energy and tourism - has been opened.
Prime Minister Borissov was certain that Bulgaria would continue to support Egypt in its efforts to fight terrorism and religious extremism. According to his words, expanding the cooperation in this area also means more security for the Middle East and the Balkans. "We appreciate the positive role played by Egypt, both as a President of the African Union and taking a leading role in the League of Arab States," added Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.
The Prime Minister welcomed Egypt's serious efforts to help find peaceful solutions to the crises in the region and to help the sides of these conflicts to reach a compromise through dialogue. "Lasting peace will allow for the economic and social development of societies," the Bulgarian Prime Minister told President Sisi.
In the course of the talks, Borissov pointed out that bilateral cooperation in the field of energy is of particular interest to Bulgaria, given the gas resources of Egypt, on one hand, and the implementation of a number of projects in the sector in Bulgaria, on the other. "This will allow us to be both a consumer and a transit hub for significant quantities of natural gas from countries in Asia and the Middle East to Europe," Prime Minister Borissov noted.
The Prime Minister also emphasised that in the course of 2020 the first meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission and new high-level visits are expected to be held. Bulgaria and Egypt already have coordinated bilateral agreements, the signing of which will extend and enrich our partnership in areas of mutual interest.
