Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Borissov met Egypt’s President el-Sisi

"The real breakthrough in the political contacts between Bulgaria and Egypt that we have made over the last two years can give new practical expression to our cooperation in all areas." Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said this during his meeting with the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on January 15.

The two held talks within the framework of the official opening of the Bernice Naval Base at the Red Sea.

Prime Minister Borisov noted that thanks to the constructive political dialogue from 2018, a new page of enhancing bilateral cooperation in all spheres - political, economic, energy, cultural, educational, tourism - has been opened.

The Prime Minister said that Bulgaria would continue to support Egypt in its efforts in the fight against terrorism and religious extremism.

In his words, expanding co-operation in this area also means more security for the Middle East and the Balkans. “We appreciate the very positive role played by Egypt, both as President of the African Union and its leading role in the League of Arab States,” Borissov added..

He welcomed Egypt’s serious efforts to help find peaceful solutions to crises in the region and, through dialogue, the parties to these conflicts to reach compromise.

“A lasting peace will allow the economic and social development of societies,” he pointed out. Borissov said that bilateral co-operation in the area of energy is of particular interest to Bulgaria, given the gas resources of Egypt on the one hand and the implementation of a number of projects in the sector in Bulgaria.

“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,” Borissov said.

He noted that the first meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission is expected to take place in 2020 and new high-level visits will be held. Bulgaria and Egypt already have agreed bilateral agreements, the signing of which will extend and enrich co-operation in areas of mutual interest, the statement said