Bulgaria attaches great importance to the role of Saudi Arabia as an important partner in the Middle East region, with which it seeks to build relations of strategic partnership. This is what President Rumen Radev said today when he honoured the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Khalid bin Kamal Faqih, with the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Class, for the diplomat's particularly great services to the advancement of bilateral relations.

In his speech at the solemn ceremony, the Head of State highlighted Ambassador Faqih's efforts for the upgrading of bilateral relations in all spheres of reciprocal interest and for the implementation of a number of important visits to this country by ministers, business representatives and people from the spheres of education, science and culture from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Rumen Radev recalled that thanks to Ambassador Faqih's dedication and professionalism, the bilateral dialogue was deepened during the visit of the Bulgarian Head of State to New York to participate in the UN General Assembly session, where talks were also held on upgrading bilateral relations with KSA representatives of the executive power.

I believe that the prospects in the fields of investment, energy, high technologies, innovation, culture and education have yet to bear fruit, the Head of State said.

Bulgaria is following with interest the development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the first of its kind unique city of the future, Neom. We have expressed our readiness to participate in the development and deployment of these large-scale Saudi renewal projects, the President added.

Ambassador Faqih thanked for the honour and the high state award and said that his country was seeking opportunities for interaction with Bulgaria at all levels. The diplomat thanked for this country's support for Saudi Arabia's bid to host the EXPO 2030 and stressed Riyadh's readiness to deepen bilateral cooperation with Bulgaria in economy, tourism, agriculture, energy, artificial intelligence, communications and others.

We hope that we will have a very fruitful cooperation. I am grateful for the support that President Radev has extended to me in my capacity as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and I am confident that the new Ambassador will meet with the same dedication of your country to the development of our relations, Ambassador Faqih concluded.