Bulgaria should set up a Bulgarian cultural institute, president Iliyana Yotova has said. She says Bulgaria is the only EU country without one.
"This is a real sore point for me," Yotova said, adding that Bulgaria has 14 centuries of history behind it to be proud of. She believes New York will be among the first cities where the future institute opens a branch.
Yotova met local time last night with members of the Bulgarian community in New York, at a gathering at Bulgaria's consulate general in the city.
The president is leading Bulgaria's delegation to the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. A day earlier she addressed the debate from the UN podium.
The meeting with the Bulgarian community took place at a reception marking Bulgaria's Independence Day, 22 September. The event was hosted by Bulgaria's embassy in Washington and its consulate general in New York.
The hosts were Stefka Yovcheva, chargé d'affaires at the embassy, and Angel Angelov, Bulgaria's consul general in New York.
Guests of honour at the reception included president Iliyana Yotova, foreign minister Velislava Petrova and labour and social policy minister Natalia Efremova.