The Arab Republic of Egypt is a key partner of Bulgaria in the Middle East and Africa, on whose full cooperation we will continue to rely in the future. This is what President Rumen Radev said when he honoured the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Bulgaria, H.E. Khaled Ibrahim Emara, with the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Class, for his outstanding services to the development and deepening of bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Egypt.

In his speech at the ceremony the Head of State highlighted the importance that Bulgaria attaches to relations with Egypt - the first Arab country with which this country had established diplomatic relations and the country with which we had the highest trade turnover among the countries of the Middle East and Africa.

President Radev highlighted the diplomat's efforts and his significant contribution to the development and upgrading of friendly relations between Bulgaria and Egypt in a number of areas of mutual interest, such as the economy, energy, defence, agriculture, science, culture and tourism.

Ambassador Emara expressed his gratitude for the honour and the high state award, stressing that the peoples of Bulgaria and Egypt have deep historical ties. The diplomat expressed confidence that the two countries will continue to develop their extremely good relations, which are based on respect, friendship and cooperation.