Ekaterina Zaharieva Confirms Bulgaria’s Strategic Relationship with Israel
12 November 2020 News
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva and Gabi Ashkenazi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, agreed that the two countries should strengthen their cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including power generation, tourism, and trade.
„We are marking this year the 30th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between our countries. „Israel has been our closest friend and strategic partner in the Middle East during these three decades,“ Ekaterina Zaharieva said during her first official visit to the State of Israel, which was aimed at continuing the political dialogue between the two countries at the highest level and at discussing new forms of strengthening the bilateral cooperation. While visiting Jerusalem she met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuvan Rivlin.
„Our political relations are excellent and we do not have any open issues. However, I would like to see more trade between our countries,“ Ekaterina Zaharieva said after her meeting with her counterpart Ashkenazi. Trade between the two countries amounted to $209 million in 2019, nearly 50% more than the previous year. The bilateral trade declined by an annualized rate of 3.6 percent in the first half of 2020, reaching 92 million, mostly due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It was agreed during the talks to organize, by video conference, if necessary, the first meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic and Trade Cooperation in a bid to encourage economic ties and investments. The Bulgarian side sees opportunities for cooperation also in the IT sector, science, and power generation.
The two ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Power Generation between the two countries’ ministries of power generation. This document is aimed at encouraging cooperation in the protection of the energy infrastructure, in renewable energy, and in the implementation of other joint projects in the energy sector.
The ties in the tourism sector were discussed. It was noted that Bulgaria is an attractive destination with 250,000 Israeli tourists having visited Bulgaria last year. Minister Ashkenazi expressed hope that the global efforts for tackling the coronavirus would enable Israel to open soon its airspace for commercial flights, making it possible for the Israeli tourists to return to Bulgaria. He accepted Minister Zaharieva’s invitation to visit Bulgaria - Plovdiv as well as Sofia.
Ministers Zaharieva and Ashkenazi agreed that the strategic relationship between Bulgaria and the State of Israel are based on the deep historical ties between the two peoples in difficult times.
„All Jews, the entire Israeli nation will remember forever those who stood with us during the darkest period of history, particularly in Europe.“ Gabi Eshkenazi, whose father is a Bulgarian Jew from Plovdiv, used these words to express gratitude before Ekaterina Zaharieva for the salvation of the Bulgarian Jews. „I have always wondered why of all European nations only the Bulgarians did this. I do not have an exact answer to this question, but it is probably because the Bulgarians are good and honest people,“ Ashkenazi said and thanked the Bulgarian Government for its efforts in the fight against antisemitism and for foiling the Lukov March.
Ekaterina Zaharieva confirmed the Bulgarian Government’s consistent commitment to the fight against antisemitism, discrimination, and hate speech. „We should remember history in order to be able to learn from it. Democracy has a price. We should fight for it every day,“ Ekaterina Zaharieva said. „We should educate the media and teach our children to be tolerant and to oppose every attempt at kindling hatred for other religions or nationalities. We will be able to fight against evil and to oppose it only if we stand together.“
The two ministers also discussed issues pertaining to international security, the fight against terrorism, and the situation in the Middle East. Ekaterina Zaharieva praised Israel for the normalization of relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan. „These agreements may turn a new page in the history of the Middle East and bring about a major change in the lives of its peoples, undoubtedly making a positive impact on global political climate,“ the Bulgarian Foreign minister said. She pointed out Bulgaria’s active position in activating cooperation within the EU-Israel framework and expressed satisfaction that this position is appreciated by the Israeli side.
The activation of economic relations between Bulgaria and the State of Israel was in the focus of Deputy Prime Minister Zaharieva’s talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who sent greetings to Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.
The two reiterated their countries’ desire to hold very soon the first session of the Joint Commission for Economic and Trade Cooperation. They highlighted high technology and the IT sector among the sectors where bilateral economic relations will develop.
The Prime Minister of the State of Israel also expressed his country’s gratitude for the salvation of the Bulgarian Jews and for Bulgaria’s categorical position against antisemitism, xenophobia, and hate speech
„Regrettably, xenophobia and hate have not disappeared. We should fight against them every day. We in Bulgaria are condemning such behavior in every possible manner,“ the Bulgarian Foreign Minister said.
Ekaterina Zaharieva and Benjamin Netanyahu also discussed the situation with the coronavirus pandemic. Among the topics of their conversation were also the situation in the Middle East and the broadening of relations between the EU and Israel.
At her meeting with President Reuven Rivlin Ekaterina Zaharieva discussed the challenges to international and regional security in the Middle East, as well as threats related to the coronavirus crisis. The President noted the importance which Israel attaches to the salvation of the Bulgarian Jews during World War II.