Energy, agriculture and tourism are sectors where the UAE and Bulgaria can deepen ties, the Minister of State Ahmed Al Sayegh has said on a visit to Bulgaria.
The 42-member UAE delegation is the latest formal meeting between representatives of the Balkan state and the UAE, which opened its embassy in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia in June.
![Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city by population in the European Union, with 1.4 million people living in the Capital Municipality.[2] It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha, and is the administrative, cultural, economic, and educational centre of the country. (iStockphoto.com) The picture shows Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in the backgorund, the National Assembly building on Tsar Osvobodtel Boulevard, and Monument to the Tsar Liberator.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2MP6GOLRPAVD3GMBH5VMKM3FYQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=02a390bd7cb30a44a2c84ac164259da636ee9187987326ce5a4b318d22ab3d33&width=400&height=266)
“The UAE deeply values its longstanding partnership with Bulgaria and the progress that this relationship has made on political, economic and cultural fronts,” said Minister Al Sayegh in a statement. “The size of the UAE delegation on this visit is [a] testament to our commitment to expanding the bilateral relationship to a strategic level.”
Cultural exchange and tourism both have excellent economic potential, said Minister Al Sayegh. Bulgarian and Emirati officials signed an agreement to enhance cultural and health tourism, develop training programmes for the tourism sector and share data, according to the Sofia News Agency, Novinite.
Efficient transportation routes by land and sea must be developed between the states, added Minister Al Sayegh. Bulgaria, an EU member since 2007, borders Turkey, the Black Sea and is a historic hub between Europe and the Near East.
The UAE delegation had representatives from five ministries, as well as research and commercial entities, including Masdar, Etihad Airways, DP World and Abu Dhabi Development Fund.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, visited Bulgaria in June to inaugurate the opening of the UAE embassy.
The UAE had the chance to host a Bulgarian delegation last month when the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boyko Borissov, visited Abu Dhabi. He was received by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at the Qasr Al Bahr.
