President Rumen Radev met in Riyadh with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and renewed his invitation for him to make his postponed visit to Bulgaria. The presidential press office announced that the invitation was made along with an appeal to business representatives for further deepening of bilateral dialogue at the highest level and stimulating bilateral economic ties.
Rumen Radev's visit to Saudi Arabia is related to his participation in the international forum "Future Investment Initiative". The forum, which brings together key figures from various fields, is a stage for discussing global challenges and opportunities for development.
During the meeting in Riyadh, President Radev stressed that "Vision 2030", undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to modernize the country through targeted investments in key areas, reveals favorable prospects for the implementation of mutually beneficial projects with Bulgaria. The focus of this vision is on the areas of high technologies, innovations, energy and education.
The head of state highlighted the establishment of Bulgaria as a center for the development of high technologies in Southeast Europe. He pointed out the activities of a number of technology companies and scientific units, as well as the work of the first Institute for Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence in the region. The upcoming creation in Sofia of one of the six artificial intelligence factories, which are embedded in the key computing infrastructure of the European Union, was also emphasized as an important achievement.
The meeting confirmed the common opinion that the two countries have significant achievements in the fields of high technologies, innovations, sustainable solutions in energy and defense. These successes create a solid foundation for the development of bilateral trade, economic, scientific and investment partnership between Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia. In addition, mutual interest was noted in expanding scientific and educational exchange, as well as the opportunities for using European financial mechanisms for the implementation of joint projects, the press office announced.
President Radev expressed Bulgaria's support for the efforts of the countries of the Middle East, aimed at the soonest possible cessation of military actions in the region and the achievement of a sustainable peaceful solution through diplomacy.