Opinions & Interviews

Opinion: Belarus-Bulgaria trust-based relations should contribute to further cooperation

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MINSK, 3 March (BelTA) - Historically established trust between Belarus and Bulgaria should serve further development of cooperation, Belarus’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleg Kravchenko said at a function to mark Liberation Day celebrated in Bulgaria on 3 March, BelTA has learned.

The third stage of formation of the Bulgarian statehood began on 3 March 1878. “This remarkable day in the history of the country symbolizes the culmination of centuries-long aspiration of Bulgarians for freedom and independence, the desire to determine their own future path, which was clearly reflected in the development of the Bulgarian people's liberation movement at the end of the 19th century,” said Oleg Kravchenko.

In his words, this is also an important date for the Belarusian people. People that lived on the territory of the modern Belarus took an active part in the events of those times. “The 54th Minsk Infantry Regiment was one of the first who crossed the Danube and set foot on the Bulgarian land. As part of the 14th Division, this regiment took part in the heroic defense of Shipka. The Brest, Lithuanian, Bialystok infantry regiments, the 4th Grenadier Nesvizh regiment, the Belarusian Hussar Regiment and the Life Guards of Grodno Hussar Regiments fought in the Balkans,” he said.

According to the deputy minister, there have been different periods in the history of Belarusian-Bulgarian cooperation: the nations fought together against a common enemy, helped each other during the hard times. “This experience creates today an especially warm and trust-based atmosphere in our relations, which we should use for the progressive development of multifaceted cooperation,” he stressed.

Oleg Kravchenko emphasized steady development of bilateral relations at the level of governments, parliaments, regional and local authorities. More than 40 twinning agreements between the two countries make a good basis. He stressed that a special impetus to the development of cooperation was given during the recent first official visit of the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs to Bulgaria and his meetings with the president, the speaker of the Parliament and the minister of foreign affairs of Bulgaria. “It was noted at the talks that our countries have great potential for expanding cooperation not only in trade, but also in such industries as nuclear power, information technologies, and agriculture. Education, science and technology, inter-cultural dialogue are traditionally promising areas of interaction,” the deputy minister added.

For his part, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to Belarus Georgi Vassilev said that today Bulgaria is a country with high rates of growth and a peaceful foreign policy. It is a member of the EU, NATO and is gearing up to introduce the euro in the near future. The diplomat stressed the importance of developing Belarus-Bulgaria contacts across all areas.

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