Georg Georgiev Hosts the First-Ever Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman to Bulgaria
03 July 2025 News
“I extend a heartfelt welcome to you and the delegation accompanying you to the Republic of Bulgaria. The fact that you have undertaken this visit despite all the challenges in the Middle East region is a clear testament to our shared commitment to deepening the friendly relations between Bulgaria and Oman.” With these words, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Georg Georgiev, addressed his guest – the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi – who is paying an official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of Minister Georgiev.
„“In these fragile times of global instability and conflicts – not only in Ukraine as a result of Russian aggression, but also in the Middle East – it is of great importance that we are able to build bridges and invest in peace and stability initiatives that further bring countries closer together. Bulgaria and Oman share a remarkable number of similarities. Just as Bulgaria is a country with a balanced foreign policy that strives to contribute to regional security, so too is Oman – both in the Gulf and across the broader Middle East region,” Georgiev stated, emphasising that Bulgaria greatly values the efforts made by the Sultanate of Oman in fostering lasting and sustainable peace in the region – a peace that would support economic development and strong trade relations.
Bulgaria’s top diplomat expressed the gratitude of the Bulgarian government and the entire Bulgarian people for the continuous and coordinated efforts of the Omani side in successfully resolving the case involving the Bulgarian citizens detained on board the Galaxy Leader. He also expressed hope that the successful cooperation on this humanitarian case would serve as yet another foundation for further strengthening the long-term partnership between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Sultanate of Oman
The Omani Foreign Minister, for his part, expressed his gratitude to the Bulgarian government and people for their hospitality and conveyed his confidence that the fruitful meetings he held in Bulgaria would lead to the opening of new horizons for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy, science, and culture.
The two Foreign Ministers discussed opportunities for deepening cooperation between their respective countries at the political level, laying the foundations for a regular dialogue and consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, as well as prospects for developing sectoral cooperation in key areas of mutual interest.
The Bulgarian side also expressed its readiness to cooperate within the framework of the deepening strategic dialogue between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council, as a testament to the EU’s and its Member States’ commitment to unlocking the full potential of the partnership with the countries of the Persian Gulf and elevating it to a more ambitious and strategic level.
Minister Georgiev and his guest agreed that both countries would work towards the opening of their respective embassies in Muscat and Sofia.
“There is clear political will to further deepen our diplomatic and political contacts. We hope, and will work towards, the opening of embassies both in Sofia and in Muscat. I wish to reiterate once again that Bulgaria is firmly committed to opening a diplomatic mission in Oman,” Minister Georgiev stated.
The two Ministers also discussed the situation in the Middle East region and the efforts to establish a lasting and just peace, to which Oman has made a significant contribution.
Earlier in the day, during a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria, Zhecho Stankov, and Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of energy between the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Sultanate of Oman.
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