29.01.2020
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov met with His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. "We value our relations with Bulgaria, for us this country is a very important partner within the European Union," said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Bulgarian Prime Minister welcomed him and sent his best regards to the King and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Borissov and His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud paid special attention to the excellent energy cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Borissov expressed his satisfaction with the participation of the Arkad Consortium in the construction activities for the expansion of the gas supply infrastructure of Bulgartransgaz EAD from the Bulgarian-Turkish border to the Bulgarian-Serbian border. "In this way, we have a great opportunity for diversification and for Bulgaria to return again to the gas map as a regional center for gas distribution in the Balkans," Prime Minister Borissov told the Foreign Minister.
During the meeting, the two discussed strengthening the established political dialogue and cooperation in the fields of economy and investment, security, counter-terrorism, high-tech industries, energy, agriculture and tourism.
"Saudi Arabia is a very important partner for Bulgaria," Prime Minister Borissov emphasised during the meeting. He praised the role and influence of the Kingdom on the regional and global levels and noted the desire of our country to develop mutually beneficial relations in areas of strategic importance for both countries.
"Bulgaria supports the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia when it comes to the priorities of its G20 presidency program this year," Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said. He added that the two countries share similar views and positions on a number of international issues. "In this context, we are interested in developing cooperation in areas of common interest because of the geopolitical importance and interconnectedness of our regions," Prime Minister Boyko Borissov added.
During the meeting, he pointed out that the functioning embassy of Bulgaria in Riyadh is already evidence of the strong will to raise the level of development of the relations between the two countries. Its work has positive results and creates additional conditions for significantly facilitating bilateral dialogue and trade and economic cooperation.
"Your visit is also a symbolic sign to the Saudi business for further beneficial partnership in a number of sectors," Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom. Evidence of progress in our relations is the growth of bilateral trade by 49% in the period January-October 2019. Compared to the same period in 2018, it reached USD 93.3 million. Good opportunities for increasing Bulgarian exports to the Kingdom were underlined.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Borissov also invited Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud to visit our country in order to further discuss ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation.
