Relations between Bulgaria and France are excellent both in terms of economic co-operation and of culture, but the two countries have further potential to develop and deepen them, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev and his French counterpart Francois Hollande agreed during a meeting in Paris during President Plevneliev’s visit to France.

President Plevneliev emphasised to his French counterpart that French investments in the Bulgarian economy exceed a billion euro, but there is real potential for this to double in the coming years. He said that the good positions held by French companies in the energy, infrastructure and water sectors in Bulgaria could be expanded through major projects being carried out in transport infrastructure. He named potential areas for the implementation of joint projects as including organic farming, food production and tourism.

“Bulgaria is a strategic partner of France and we appreciate the country’s achievements in the past 15 years,” French President Hollande told the Bulgarian head of state. President Hollande said that in addition to the excellent bilateral relations between Bulgaria and France, the two countries co-operate well in resolving issues on the EU agenda. “Of particular significance is the partnership in relation to the EU budgetary framework,” President Hollande said. The Bulgarian President thanked his French counterpart for France’s consistent position on maintaining the potential of the Cohesion Policy as a factor for economic growth.

At the meeting, President Hollande confirmed France’s support for Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen visa zone. President Plevneliev said: “We have carried out all the procedures and requirements regarding securing the borders. Schengen is a matter of trust and we believe that when someone is doing a good job, it should be evaluated as such. We await a decision.”

President Plevneliev briefed President Hollande on the results of Bulgaria’s first referendum in its democratic history. Asked by his French counterpart about the future of nuclear energy in Bulgaria, President Plevneliev said that the issue had been resolved positively in Bulgaria’s energy strategy.

President Plevneliev expressed Bulgaria’s strong support for France’s efforts to secure lasting peace and stability in Mali and to neutralise the activities of terrorist groups in the northern part of Mali.

President Hollande praised the work of UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and expressed France’s support for her having a second term in office.

President Plevneliev invited his French counterpart to visit Bulgaria in 2013. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria’s accession to the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. President Hollande said that France would continue to promote the study of French in Bulgaria and said that the 3000 Bulgarian students currently studying in the French Republic were truly a bridge between the two countries.