President Rumen Radev honoured the Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to Bulgaria, HE Martina Feeney, with the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Class. The award is for Ambassador Feeney's great services to the strengthening and development of bilateral relations.

In his speech, the head of state pointed out that during Ambassador Feeney's tenure Bulgaria and the Republic of Ireland celebrated in 2021 the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In these more than 30 years, the two countries have managed to build fruitful relations based on friendship and partnership, Radev noted. He expressed Bulgaria's gratitude for Ireland's support of our accession process and our full integration into the EU.

The President mentioned Martina Finney's activity and personal commitment to deepening and expanding relations, highlighting the significant potential for growth of Irish investments in a number of areas in Bulgaria, including energy, innovation and tourism.

The President also stressed the Ambassador's initiatives related to Roma integration, as well as her support for the activities of the local authorities in Blagoevgrad around the annual competition in memory of Irish journalist Veronica Guerin, which honours journalists for their contribution to the fight against the spread of drugs. Bulgaria is open to the global achievements of Irish culture and music and we, in turn, are working to ensure that more and more Bulgarian authors are translated and their works find a place in Ireland, the President added.

The head of state recalled the work of Irishmen James Boucher and Pierce O'Mahony, who after the liberation of our country and after the Ilinden-Preobrazhenie Uprising, led by the typical Irish spirit of empathy and sympathy, arrived in Bulgaria and remained here, deeply committed to the Bulgarian national cause. The telling of these stories of people with big hearts shapes the Bulgarian people's perception of the Irish people, in turn providing a meaningful opportunity for Ireland itself to understand more about its history, an integral part of which is the noble and selfless work of their compatriots abroad.

For her part, Martina Feeney said that she accepts the highest award not only as a sign of gratitude, but also as a symbol of the deep friendship between Bulgaria and Ireland. She pointed to the excellent cooperation and support she had received during her tenure and stressed that as EU Member States our countries share common values.