Deputy Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev takes part in the opening of the international conference “The Black Sea Regional Dimension of the One Belt, One Road Initiative”
18 September 2017 News
Deputy Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev took part in the opening of the international conference “The Black Sea Regional Dimension of the One Belt, One Road Initiative”. The event was organised by the Diplomatic Institute and the 16+1 research centres cooperation framework within the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. It was held under the auspices of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.
“The One Belt, One Road Chinese initiative contributes to the strengthening of the strategic partnership and better connectivity between the EU and China. It also gives an opportunity for additional unfolding of the trade and economic, the investment and, generally speaking, the geostrategic potential of the Black Sea Region. For this reason and with a view to the global benefits, Bulgaria attaches priority to the relations with China and the participation in the initiatives that it has proposed,” Georg Georgiev said.
The Deputy Foreign Minister underscored that Bulgaria is one of the first countries having signed a memorandum of mutual promotion of the One Belt, One Road initiative with the People’s Republic of China at government level during the 5th 16+1 Summit in the city of Suzhou in November 2015.
“Bulgaria’s strategic geographical location – at the border between Europe and Asia – allows it to play a key role in the building of new transport corridors connecting the two continents. The Bulgarian proposal of a Trans-Caspian railway route through Varna and Burgas to Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and China is particularly promising,” Deputy Minister Georgiev said.
“The Black Sea Region is a distinguished geographical region, rich of natural resources and located strategically between Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. It is a continuously growing market with a big potential and an important energy and transport hub,” Georg Georgiev also said. The Deputy Minister added that a greater commitment on the part of the EU and China would also contribute to achieving stability in the region. “This is namely a part of the priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU in 2018,” he stated.
In his statement, Georg Georgiev underscored that it is important to focus on achieving specific results regarding the relations with China. “For Bulgaria this would mean a considerable increase of Chinese investments and tourists in Bulgaria, a greater presence of strategic Chinese partners in infrastructure, energy, transport and other projects of priority importance for our country. The cooperation in agriculture is another priority for Bulgaria,” he also said.
In conclusion, Deputy Minister Georgiev noted that the idea about the connectivity of the Black Sea Region through the One Belt, One Road initiative will help not only strengthen cooperation between Bulgaria, China and the other Asian and European countries but will also be a step towards the building of an open regional and world economy.