The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Ingrid Brocková, received the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria, Vassil Pavlov[...]

Today (October 20, 2021), State Secretary Ingrid Brocková received the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria Vassil Pavlov Petkov. During their talk, the partners confirmed close relations and interest in the further development of mutual cooperation. Regular visits and interaction at all levels with the aim of coordinating the positions of Slovakia and Bulgaria as member states of the European Union and NATO also confirm the quality of bilateral relations.

In addition to bilateral relations, the partners talked about the economic recovery from the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. They agreed that the Recovery and Resilience Facility will make a significant contribution to economic recovery and will enable countries to implement key structural reforms and work together on this agenda. The challenge for both countries is the green transformation and decarbonisation of industry, the digital transformation, as well as the implementation of reforms in the field of education and health care.

"Coming out of any crisis, we should be more efficient and active. The current crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may be a positive impetus for the further development of economic cooperation, " stated the State Secretary. The partners expressed their belief that after the decline caused by the crisis, mutual trade will grow again in the coming period. In addition to traditional sectors, information technology and robotics are sectors with a potential for strengthening mutual cooperation and trade. The cooperation agreement, which was signed in May this year by the STU Robotics Center and by the Robotics and Automation Association in Bulgaria, is a good basis.

State Secretary Brocková reaffirmed the support of the Slovak Republic for the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Schengen area, the eurozone and the OECD, and was interested in Bulgaria's position on North Macedonia with regards to negotiations on its accession to the EU. Ambassador Vassil Pavlov Petkov expressed gratitude for the quality of conditions of the Bulgarian community living in Slovakia, including the operation of the Bulgarian Primary School and Christ Botev Grammar School in Bratislava.