18.03.2020
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov had a telephone conversation with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in regards to the coronavirus pandemic. The two discussed the efforts each of the two countries is making to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Prime Minister Borissov congratulated China for the effective measures to put the coronavirus epidemic under control. For his part, the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang thanked the Bulgarian Prime Minister for his support and involvement during the most difficult time of the coronavirus crisis in China. Li Keqiang noted that the measures taken in China are already working, but he said that the victory over the coronavirus has not yet been achieved and that the fight should continue, with countries helping one another. The Chinese Premier expressed his confidence that the world will manage to overcome the pandemic.
Premier Li Keqiang said he understands that the coronavirus is a big challenge for Bulgaria. He expressed China's willingness to provide assistance to our country in the form of donation of masks, glasses, gloves and other protective equipment. China also intends to grant this kind of assistance to the European Commission, from which Bulgaria will also benefit as a EU member state. The Chinese Premier also expressed readiness to assist Bulgaria in establishing contacts with Chinese manufacturers of protective equipment and respirators, so that through the Ministries of Economy and Trade of both countries Bulgaria can buy the necessary quantities.
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov thanked Premier Li Keqiang and the Government of the People's Republic of China for their state donation initiative, as well as for the donation of 12,000 disposable masks and 2,000 special masks to Bulgaria from the Government of the Jiangxi Province and the China-Europe Association for Economic and Technical Cooperation. China proves once again its high level of friendly and diplomatic relations with Bulgaria, noted Borissov. The Bulgarian Prime Minister underlined that he appreciates China's high level of readiness to support the international community in the fight against the epidemic.
Prime Minister Borissov thanked the Chinese authorities for the assistance for the removal of two Bulgarian citizens from Wuhan on a flight to France in early February and for the care taken by the Chinese side for the remaining Bulgarian student in Wuhan. For his part, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang expressed his confidence that the Bulgarian state would take care of Chinese citizens and students in Bulgaria. "We must mutually care for the citizens of our two countries," Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said. In the course of the conversation, Prime Minister Borissov and Premier Li Keqiang emphasised on the friendly relations between Bulgaria and China.
