At a ceremony at the presidential institution today, President Rumen Radev awarded the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Class, to H.E. Giuseppina Zarra, Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Bulgaria. The state decoration is awarded for the diplomat's services to the strengthening and development of bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Italy.

President Radev noted the common values and friendship that bind Bulgaria and Italy, as well as the excellent relations that are developing dynamically in a wide range of areas. Politics, economy, science, culture, education - there is no area of public life in which we do not actively maintain and develop cooperation, the Head of State said. Bulgaria highly values the successful partnership with Italy in the security and defence spheres, the President further said and highlighted the leading role of the Italian Republic as a framework country in the Multinational Battle Group in Novo Selo. Bulgaria also attaches key importance to all aspects of connectivity between our two countries - transport, energy and digital, and the Head of State underlined the joint efforts and responsibility for the construction of the Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII, which is of strategic importance for Europe's prosperity and security.

During her tenure in Bulgaria, Ambassador Zarra actively worked to strengthen contacts between Italian companies and Bulgarian local authorities and businesses to explore new areas for economic and investment cooperation, Rumen Radev said. The Head of State also noted Ambassador Zarra's cause to promote cultural and historical ties between Bulgaria and Italy through a number of initiatives, as well as her role in strengthening academic exchanges. The bright trace that your active and dedicated activity will leave in Bulgaria is largely due to your excellent knowledge of the Bulgarian language, our history, culture, the soul of our people and Bulgaria's contribution to European civilisation, the Head of State addressed Ambassador Zarra.

My gratitude goes to all Bulgarians, from the highest institutions to every citizen, who have supported my work and enriched my life, contributing to the strengthening of the friendship between Bulgaria and Italy, Ambassador Zarra said after she was awarded the state decoration. The diplomat highlighted the official visit of Italian President Sergio Mattarella to this country last year as an important moment in the relations between the two nations, based on the excellent bilateral ties, as well as within the EU and NATO, which have reached a strategic dimension. The historical relations between our two countries, dating back to the time of Ancient Rome, visible in many places in Bulgaria, are also evidenced in our relations today, Ambassador Zarra stressed.