Bulgaria and Ukraine Mark 100th Anniversary of Their Diplomatic Relations
23 February 2018 News
‘The event we are celebrating today is imbued with historic significance. I believe that regardless of the severe trials it is now facing, Ukraine will continue to stand by its civilizational choice while successfully carrying through the reforms necessary for deepening its political association and economic integration with the European Union. This path of its development, though far from easy, is the only one that could secure for Ukraine the kind of peace, stability and prosperity that its citizens deserve,’ said Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Sterk at a conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Ukraine, held at the Ministry of Foreign Relations today.
Sterk added that the 200 thousand Bulgarians living in the territory of Ukraine constitute a natural bridge of friendship between the two countries. The Deputy Minister gave thanks to the Ukrainian authorities for enabling our fellow nationals to continue preserving their cultural and linguistic identity.
In his speech, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Vasyl Bodnar expressed gratitude to the Bulgarian government for its consistent and principled support for the European integration of Ukraine. ‘Today we are celebrating not only 100 years of good friendship and cooperation between our peoples, but our common future in a European context,’ Bodnar said.
During the conference, the two parties signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Diplomatic Institute with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Henady Udovenko Diplomatic Academy with the Ukrainian MFA. The event was attended by ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps and other officials.