The people of Bulgaria and our region want to see peace restored in Europe, the head of state says in an interview with the Japanese news agency Kyodo

Deepening and expanding bilateral relations with Japan is a consistent priority for Bulgaria. This was stated by President Rumen Radev in an interview with the Japanese news agency Kyodo before his official visit to Japan. In Tokyo, the Bulgarian head of state will have an audience with His Majesty Emperor Naruhito and will sign with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Declaration on Strategic Partnership between Bulgaria and Japan. In Osaka, the president and the delegation led by him will participate in Bulgaria Day at the EXPO 2025 World Exhibition.

The head of state highlighted the long-standing history and traditions of relations between Bulgaria and Japan, as well as the enormous potential for their development. Last year marked 115 years since the first official contacts between the two countries, 85 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations and 65 years since their restoration. Rumen Radev emphasized the intensive economic and cultural cooperation between Bulgaria and Japan in the 1970s and 1980s, recalling our country's participation in the World Expo in Osaka in 1970. At that time, Bulgaria presented its rich culture and various products, including Bulgarian yogurt, which has been extremely popular in Japan since then and is today part of the healthy lifestyle in the country.

Rumen Radev highlighted innovation, information technology, scientific research, artificial intelligence, energy, trade, the automotive sector, education, culture and tourism as particularly promising areas of bilateral cooperation between Bulgaria and Japan.

In response to a question about the growing interest of Japanese companies in Bulgaria, Rumen Radev noted our country's achievements in the field of information technologies and gave an example of the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technologies INSAIT, established in our country a few years ago, which creates favourable conditions for attracting investments in these areas.

One of the most important aspects of my visit to Japan is the long-awaited signing of a Declaration on Elevating Bilateral Relations with Bulgaria to the Level of Strategic Partnership, the President emphasized, adding that this will further stimulate the development of bilateral cooperation. Rumen Radev also pointed out that the delegation he led includes representatives of leading Bulgarian companies in various fields, who will hold meetings with their Japanese colleagues.

Bulgaria provides unique opportunities for business and can be a partner of Japan in Southeast Europe, the head of state also stated, highlighting the growing interest of Bulgarians in Japan, as well as the increasing number of Japanese visitors to our country, which contributes to the development of cultural exchange between the two countries.

In response to a question, President Radev identified the ongoing war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine as the main challenge to security in Europe and called for diplomatic efforts to end it. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, I have been saying that it has no military solution, Rumen Radev said, adding that the conflict has become a war of attrition, devastating the Ukrainian infrastructure and economy.

According to the president, diplomatic efforts are overdue and should have started from the first day of the war in order to avoid destruction and the loss of hundreds of thousands of human lives. The Bulgarian head of state reminded that from the very beginning of the war, our country has provided comprehensive support to Ukraine, but sending more weapons will not lead to peace. Therefore, Rumen Radev called for support for any initiative to end hostilities, praising the efforts and initiatives of US President Donald Trump for an immediate ceasefire and the start of negotiations between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine.

The people of Bulgaria and our region want to see peace restored in Europe, Rumen Radev also said, highlighting the challenges to peace and security posed by the ongoing war, as well as the severe consequences for the social and economic systems of neighbouring countries.

In response to a question about the future of the Crimean peninsula, President Rumen Radev stressed that the only way to achieve a stable long-term solution is an agreement between Russia and Ukraine. The head of state added that the future peace agreement should be reached on the basis of international law and UN principles and requires compromise from both sides.

Asked about the acquisition of F16 fighters by the Bulgarian Air Force, the President noted the key importance of the modernization process of the Bulgarian Army for achieving modern defence capabilities and real interoperability within NATO. The Head of State also emphasized that in order to maximise the capabilities of the new fighters, it is necessary to fully integrate all systems related to their operation, as well as to ensure their maintenance.