Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov proposed to focus on tourism, education and economic ties to further strengthen the bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Sri Lanka. Stating that diplomatic relations established fifty years ago in 1962 are warm and friendly Minister Mladenov stated that “it is important that we strengthen bilateral cooperation to achieve its full potential. In that way, we will better understand the challenges facing your country while Sri Lanka will understand the challenges facing Bulgaria”. These remarks were made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria when Ambassador Pamela J. Deen, Sri Lanka’s envoy concurrently accredited to Bulgaria from Warsaw called on him.
Ambassador Deen who was visiting Bulgaria to attend the official opening of the Hony. Consulate briefed the Foreign Minister of developments taking place in Sri Lanka. She informed him that the people of Sri Lanka were enjoying the peace dividend after the defeat of terrorism that prevailed in the country for nearly thirty years. Further, she said that the increase of the arrival of tourists as well as the flow of investments have contributed to the continuous growth of GDP.
Minister Mladenov discussed the possibilities of cooperation in tourism as both countries attract large number of tourists and could benefit each other in the field. Referring to the bilateral assistance programme that would be launched in the near future, he said that Bulgaria would be able to offer scholarships to Sri Lanka. The Ambassador appreciating the proposals made by the Minister said that those would enhance the people to people contact that would cherish the bilateral relationship. Minister Mladenov said that he looks forward to discuss ways and means of strengthening the relationship particularly in the field of economic cooperation.
