President of the Republic Joseph Aoun continued his official meetings in Sofia as part of the official visit he is making to Bulgaria at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart, Rumen Radev.
In this framework, President Aoun visited Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at the Bulgarian Prime Minister's office and held a meeting with him.
Attending the meeting from the Lebanese side had been Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Raggi, Lebanon's Ambassador to Bulgaria, Rihab Abou Zein, and Advisors: Brigadier General Andre Rahal, Jean Aziz, and Brigadier General Pilot Ziad Haikal, as well as the Lebanese Presidency's media advisor, Rafic Shalala.
On the Bulgarian side, the meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev, the Bulgarian Ambassador to Lebanon, Iassen Tomov, and a number of the Prime Minister's assistants.
At the beginning of the meeting, President Zhelyazkov welcomed President Aoun to Bulgaria, coinciding with the upcoming 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, saying: "We are following the developments in Lebanon and the efforts you are making with the government to find solutions to the current situation, which will undoubtedly include political solutions thanks to your guidance and leadership of the friendly country of Lebanon."
President Aoun responded by thanking the Bulgarian Prime Minister for his welcome, emphasizing the desire to strengthen and develop bilateral relations between the two countries in all fields. He said: "There are agreements that were signed years ago that need to be reviewed or reactivated, given the developments that Lebanon has witnessed in recent years." President Aoun expressed his hope that cooperation between the two countries would reach its full potential, particularly in the military, educational, cultural, and information technology sectors, and related areas. He indicated that Lebanon looks forward to the resumption of Bulgarian flights to Beirut to ensure direct connectivity between the Lebanese and Bulgarian capitals, suggesting that a Bulgarian delegation visit Beirut to assess and determine the needs and practical steps to achieve this end.
Regarding other issues, it was decided that the foreign ministers of the two countries would meet to draft a memorandum of understanding covering all topics.
The discussion also touched on the situation in the region, with President Aoun affirming that a stable and secure Lebanon contributes to Europe’s stability and prevents potential security or social disruptions. The President also presented the economic situation in Lebanon and the reforms being implemented by the Lebanese government in the banking, financial, and social sectors.
On the situation in south Lebanon, President Aoun noted "Israel's continued violation of the agreement announced a year ago, through its continued hostile actions and violations of Security Council Resolution 1701, its continued occupation of Lebanese territories, and its failure to release Lebanese prisoners." He affirmed that "Lebanon has requested assistance from friendly countries to pressure Israel to abide by the agreement, but so far we have not achieved any positive results."
During the meeting, ways to develop relations between Lebanon and Bulgaria were discussed. The Bulgarian Prime Minister affirmed his country's desire to work towards establishing the best possible relations between Lebanon and Bulgaria, proposing the formation of a joint economic committee, as well as other committees focused on transportation, education, culture, modern technology, and artificial intelligence. He also suggested holding meetings between businessmen from both countries, stating, "In this way, we will commemorate 60 years of relations between our two countries with a joint effort towards a better future, in addition to establishing joint European projects."
From the Bulgarian Prime Minister's office, President Aoun moved to the Bulgarian Parliament building, where he was received by the Speaker of Parliament, Raya Nazaryan, and the head of the Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee, Yuranka Verdagova, and other officials.
Speaker Nazarian welcomed President Aoun, considering that his visit to Bulgaria would advance relations between the two countries and deepen the bonds of friendship between the Lebanese and Bulgarian peoples.
She also pointed out "the presence of a Lebanese-Bulgarian parliamentary friendship committee comprising 14 members,' saying that "it would be beneficial to activate this committee to enhance cooperation between the two parliaments." She also expressed "her appreciation for the role played by President Aoun in improving the situation in Lebanon," wishing him "success in organizing the upcoming parliamentary elections in a transparent and fair manner for the benefit of the Lebanese people."
Verdagova, in turn, affirmed the Bulgarian Parliament's support for President Aoun's efforts to restore stability to Lebanon and contribute to achieving peace in the Middle East. She noted that "Bulgaria will continue, through its membership in the European Union, to support the Lebanese authorities and partner with them in several areas, particularly in the fields of technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence."
President Aoun thanked the Speaker of Parliament for her welcome, noting that "Lebanon and Bulgaria have a long history of cooperation, and there is a desire to strengthen relations between them in several areas." President Aoun affirmed that "coordination exists between Lebanon and the European Union countries, and the agreements signed between Lebanon and Bulgaria must be developed."
President Aoun is expected to conclude his official visit to Bulgaria today and will return to Beirut this evening.
In this framework, President Aoun visited Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at the Bulgarian Prime Minister's office and held a meeting with him.
Attending the meeting from the Lebanese side had been Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Raggi, Lebanon's Ambassador to Bulgaria, Rihab Abou Zein, and Advisors: Brigadier General Andre Rahal, Jean Aziz, and Brigadier General Pilot Ziad Haikal, as well as the Lebanese Presidency's media advisor, Rafic Shalala.
On the Bulgarian side, the meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev, the Bulgarian Ambassador to Lebanon, Iassen Tomov, and a number of the Prime Minister's assistants.
At the beginning of the meeting, President Zhelyazkov welcomed President Aoun to Bulgaria, coinciding with the upcoming 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, saying: "We are following the developments in Lebanon and the efforts you are making with the government to find solutions to the current situation, which will undoubtedly include political solutions thanks to your guidance and leadership of the friendly country of Lebanon."
President Aoun responded by thanking the Bulgarian Prime Minister for his welcome, emphasizing the desire to strengthen and develop bilateral relations between the two countries in all fields. He said: "There are agreements that were signed years ago that need to be reviewed or reactivated, given the developments that Lebanon has witnessed in recent years." President Aoun expressed his hope that cooperation between the two countries would reach its full potential, particularly in the military, educational, cultural, and information technology sectors, and related areas. He indicated that Lebanon looks forward to the resumption of Bulgarian flights to Beirut to ensure direct connectivity between the Lebanese and Bulgarian capitals, suggesting that a Bulgarian delegation visit Beirut to assess and determine the needs and practical steps to achieve this end.
Regarding other issues, it was decided that the foreign ministers of the two countries would meet to draft a memorandum of understanding covering all topics.
The discussion also touched on the situation in the region, with President Aoun affirming that a stable and secure Lebanon contributes to Europe’s stability and prevents potential security or social disruptions. The President also presented the economic situation in Lebanon and the reforms being implemented by the Lebanese government in the banking, financial, and social sectors.
On the situation in south Lebanon, President Aoun noted "Israel's continued violation of the agreement announced a year ago, through its continued hostile actions and violations of Security Council Resolution 1701, its continued occupation of Lebanese territories, and its failure to release Lebanese prisoners." He affirmed that "Lebanon has requested assistance from friendly countries to pressure Israel to abide by the agreement, but so far we have not achieved any positive results."
During the meeting, ways to develop relations between Lebanon and Bulgaria were discussed. The Bulgarian Prime Minister affirmed his country's desire to work towards establishing the best possible relations between Lebanon and Bulgaria, proposing the formation of a joint economic committee, as well as other committees focused on transportation, education, culture, modern technology, and artificial intelligence. He also suggested holding meetings between businessmen from both countries, stating, "In this way, we will commemorate 60 years of relations between our two countries with a joint effort towards a better future, in addition to establishing joint European projects."
From the Bulgarian Prime Minister's office, President Aoun moved to the Bulgarian Parliament building, where he was received by the Speaker of Parliament, Raya Nazaryan, and the head of the Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee, Yuranka Verdagova, and other officials.
Speaker Nazarian welcomed President Aoun, considering that his visit to Bulgaria would advance relations between the two countries and deepen the bonds of friendship between the Lebanese and Bulgarian peoples.
She also pointed out "the presence of a Lebanese-Bulgarian parliamentary friendship committee comprising 14 members,' saying that "it would be beneficial to activate this committee to enhance cooperation between the two parliaments." She also expressed "her appreciation for the role played by President Aoun in improving the situation in Lebanon," wishing him "success in organizing the upcoming parliamentary elections in a transparent and fair manner for the benefit of the Lebanese people."
Verdagova, in turn, affirmed the Bulgarian Parliament's support for President Aoun's efforts to restore stability to Lebanon and contribute to achieving peace in the Middle East. She noted that "Bulgaria will continue, through its membership in the European Union, to support the Lebanese authorities and partner with them in several areas, particularly in the fields of technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence."
President Aoun thanked the Speaker of Parliament for her welcome, noting that "Lebanon and Bulgaria have a long history of cooperation, and there is a desire to strengthen relations between them in several areas." President Aoun affirmed that "coordination exists between Lebanon and the European Union countries, and the agreements signed between Lebanon and Bulgaria must be developed."
President Aoun is expected to conclude his official visit to Bulgaria today and will return to Beirut this evening.
