Saudi Arabia is among Bulgaria’s most promising partners in the Middle East, President Iliana Iotova said at a meeting with Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin…
Saudi Arabia is among Bulgaria’s most promising partners in the Middle East, President Iliana Iotova said at a meeting with Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef Al Saud, who is visiting Bulgaria. Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev also attended the meeting, the President’s Press Secretariat said here on Wednesday. Strengthening bilateral relations in the field of security would provide a basis for expanding the partnership into broader areas, Iotova said.
She noted that the conflict in the Persian Gulf and disruptions to freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz put the security of supplies to the entire world at risk. Iotova highlighted the Kingdom’s key role as a stable factor in efforts to normalize and de-escalate the situation in the region. The Bulgarian President also pointed to considerable potential for expanding bilateral cooperation in innovation.
Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 strategy for modernization and large-scale development offers opportunities for Bulgarian companies with expertise in artificial intelligence and high technology to participate in various projects, she said. Bulgaria is also interested in the Future Investment Initiative, a high-profile forum launched by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman that promotes contacts between the public and private sectors.
Establishing a direct air link between Sofia and Riyadh would create new opportunities for business, tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries, which have a long history, Iotova added. The Saudi Interior Minister conveyed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s congratulations to Iotova on her election as President of Bulgaria. He expressed optimism about deepening bilateral relations and highlighted Bulgaria’s importance as a reliable partner. Iotova renewed her invitation to the Saudi Crown Prince to visit Bulgaria.
The Bulgarian Interior Ministry said separately that Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia were stepping up cooperation in security and internal affairs.
This is a source-linked briefing. Read the original report from Bulgarian News Agency .