Hanoi (VNA) – Bulgarian President Rumen Radev’s official visit to Vietnam ahead of the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations next year demonstrates the Balkan country’s commitment to enhancing and upgrading the traditional friendship with Vietnam, Bulgarian Ambassador Pavlin Todorov has said.

In a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency, he stated that the visit, scheduled for November 24-28 at the invitation of Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, presents a crucial opportunity for both nations to evaluate their time-honoured friendship and effective cooperation while charting a new path for collaboration in various domains.

President Radev’s itinerary includes meetings with Vietnam’s key leaders, including President Cuong, Party General Secretary To Lam, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The Bulgarian leader is set to deliver a speech at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, participate in a business forum, have a meeting with the Vietnam – Bulgaria Friendship Association, and visit Hai Phong city and several other localities.

A number of bilateral agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, comprising a joint declaration and cooperation deals in education, investment, and trade, he said, adding they will provide strong momentum for the bilateral cooperation in respective fields. Ambassador Todorov highlighted that the discussions and events during the visit will focus on identifying concrete ways to develop new areas of cooperation with tangible outcomes, particularly in the economic sector.

He expressed his hope that the visit will showcase Bulgaria as a reliable partner and an attractive destination for business, tourism, and education. He also noted his wish that the Bulgarian delegation would have a chance to explore beautiful Vietnam and its unique cultural and historical heritage.

Touching on the highlights of the bilateral cooperation over the recent past, Ambassador Todorov particularly stressed that high-level political dialogue has been regaining its pre-pandemic momentum, citing recent exchanges between the two countries' parliamentary leaders in September 2023 and January 2024.

He laid stressed on the concrete developments in the bilateral relations, including the 24th session of the Vietnam-Bulgaria Intergovernmental Committee held in Sofia earlier this year and robust cooperation between ministries, agencies and sectors through multiple bilateral agreements.

♎ Affirming the significance of the 75th anniversary celebrations in 2025, he said Bulgaria is planning a series of commemorative events, including exchanges of congratulatory messages, high-level visits, and political consultations at the deputy foreign minister level./.