SPEECH OF PRESIDENT OF BULGARIA GEORGI PARVANOV
Dear Mrs. Aliyeva,
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Dear Mr. President, first of all I would like to express my gratitude for the sincere attitude and hospitality shown to our delegation. I take your invitation as well as the friendly attitude shown towards the Republic of Bulgaria as your readiness to develop mutually beneficial cooperation.
The history of international relations is relatively short, but the links between people existed in the far past. People in Bulgaria are familiar with the creative work of the genial Nizami, whose poems “Leili and Majnun,” “Khosrov and Shirin” are the graphic patterns of the Azerbaijani and the world literature. Many in Bulgaria know that in the 12th century, there existed an observatory in the city of Maraga, which was renowned by its astronomic tables throughout the East and Europe. One of the wisest persons, who collected one of the richest libraries of those times, was Shah Ismail Khatai. One should bow his head before his wisdom. Our hospitable friends are rightly proud of their rich culture and historical heritage.
As both countries are integral parts of the Great Silk Road, I would like to mention our common interests to restore that on the new base and in workmanlike manner through realization of the Europe-Caucasus-Asia corridor.
Today, geopolitical situation of both Bulgaria and Azerbaijan is of great importance, and we have the chance to use that jointly for the welfare of our two nations. The Republic of Azerbaijan is a friendly country and important partner to Bulgaria. Azerbaijan has increased its economic and political significance in the world, and may be considered as the most important state in the Caucasian region. Today, Bulgaria and Azerbaijan are successfully cooperating on the way towards Euroatlantic integration, and due to this cooperation, join the fight against the international terrorism and the illegal narco and human trafficking.
I would like to reaffirm the concern the Republic of Bulgaria has in active development of the bilateral cooperation with the Republic of Azerbaijan. The opening of the Bulgarian Embassy in Baku, and recent appointment of the Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of the Republic of Bulgaria are the evidence of our serious and sincere intentions, and the efforts to be taken for closer familiarization with culture, history and national heritage of our two peoples, is that of our aspiration to link it with our economic interests.
Dear Mr. President!
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen!
The contentful program of our visit, the effective negotiations reflect the purposefulness of our cooperation in trade and economic, scientific, technological, cultural and other spheres of the mutual exchange.
Mr. President, practical results of these talks have been reflected in the joint Declaration we have signed today. I would like to express my firm belief that our official visit to Azerbaijan will give a new impetus to our relations and bring the dialogue existing between the two states up to the new level.
***
The reception was attended by Chairman of the Milli Majlis Murtuz Alasgarov, Prime Minister Artur Rasizadeh, Chief of the President’s Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev, members of the parliament, ministers, foreign ambassadors and representatives of the public.
Other news in this section
