Israel has the potential to increase the amount of its direct investments in Bulgaria, according to President Rosen Plevneliev, who met today with the Foreign Minister of Israel Avigdor Lieberman, who is visiting Bulgaria. Rosen Plevneliev and Avigdor Lieberman reviewed bilateral co-operation and highlighted the existing traditional relations of trust and strategic partnership between Bulgaria and Israel. The rescue of Bulgarian Jews during World War 2 is a historical fact, which has shaped the nature of contemporary relations between Bulgaria and Israel.

President Plevneliev expressed Bulgaria’s interest in the establishment of closer contacts between Bulgaria and Israel in the field of ICT, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, in which Israel is a leader.

Satisfaction was expressed about the growth and expansion of the structure of bilateral trade. Bulgaria and Israel plan to enhance co-operation in traditional areas of economic relations between the two countries, such as real estate, culture and education, energy, innovation, agriculture and tourism.

The President briefed Avigdor Lieberman about opportunities for participation by Israeli companies in the forthcoming modernization of key transport infrastructure in Bulgaria, including major ports and airports.

President Plevneliev also emphasised that Bulgaria seeks to diversify sources and routes for transportation of energy resources and is interested in importing natural gas from Israel if the country finds gas deposits in the Mediterranean.

He said that Bulgaria highly appreciates co-operation with Israel in the fields of defense and security and will seek to further develop and deepen this co-operation.

The meeting also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and North Africa.

Avigdor Lieberman conveyed to President Plevneliev an invitation from the President’s Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres to visit Israel.