On the margins of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. The parties discussed the furtherance of Armenian-Bulgarian relations.

Nikol Pashinyan stressed the importance of high-level meetings in terms of promoting bilateral cooperation. Noting that Armenia and Bulgaria boast deeply-rooted friendly relations, the Premier said the two governments should take practical steps to give new impetus to interstate relations.

Highlighting Bulgaria’s role in the South Caucasus, the head of the Armenian government assured of our country’s willingness to implement joint projects. Nikol Pashinyan welcomed Bulgarian Parliament’s ratification of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and went on to stress that the full implementation of the agreement might contribute to the development and strengthening of democratic institutions in Armenia, as well as to the effective implementation of the ongoing reforms. The Premier added that our country attaches great importance to relations based on common values with the European Union and EU-member states.

Rumen Radev said Bulgaria is closely following the developments and democratic changes in Armenia. He noted that the two countries have great potential for cooperation. He stressed that the existing potential can be promoted by the Armenian community of Bulgaria that has been successfully integrated into and is making a great contribution to his country’s public life.

Rumen Radev stressed the importance of cooperation in economy, information technologies and education. He reminded that during his visit to Armenia, he visited the TUMO center and was impressed by its activities. He assured of his country’s keen interest to set up a TUMO center in Sofia and, in general, take steps to boost interaction in the field of high technologies.

Nikol Pashinyan and Rumen Radev stressed the need for developing bilateral cooperation, expanding trade and economic ties, strengthening business ties between the private sectors of the two countries, discussing and implementing joint investment projects, expanding cooperation in tourism and infrastructures. The parties noted the importance of holding joint forums that may contribute to the development of business relations.

In conclusion, the two leaders referred to issues of cooperation in multilateral formats.