Sofia: President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, continued his official meetings in Sofia as part of the official visit he is making to Bulgaria at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart, Rumen Radev.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, President Aoun visited Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at the Bulgarian Prime Minister's office for a meeting, attended by several officials from both countries. From the Lebanese side, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Raggi, Lebanon's Ambassador to Bulgaria Rihab Abou Zein, and various advisors accompanied President Aoun. The Bulgarian side included Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev, the Bulgarian Ambassador to Lebanon Iassen Tomov, and other assistants.
At the start of the meeting, President Zhelyazkov welcomed President Aoun, acknowledging the approaching 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Bulgaria. He noted the developments in Lebanon and praised President Aoun's leadership in addressing current challenges. President Aoun expressed gratitude for the welcome and highlighted the importance of enhancing bilateral relations, suggesting that existing agreements be reviewed or reactivated to reflect recent developments in Lebanon. He emphasized the potential for cooperation in military, educational, cultural, and information technology sectors and suggested resuming direct flights between Beirut and Sofia.
The leaders agreed that the foreign ministers of both countries would draft a memorandum of understanding to cover all discussed topics. Discussions also included regional stability, with President Aoun asserting that a stable Lebanon contributes to European stability and outlined Lebanon's ongoing reforms in various sectors.
President Aoun addressed issues in south Lebanon, citing Israel's continued violations of Security Council Resolution 1701 and Lebanon's request for international assistance to pressure Israel into compliance. The Bulgarian Prime Minister expressed a desire to strengthen relations, proposing joint economic and other specialized committees, and meetings between Lebanese and Bulgarian business leaders.
Following the meeting at the Prime Minister's office, President Aoun proceeded to the Bulgarian Parliament, where Speaker Raya Nazaryan and other officials received him. Speaker Nazaryan expressed hope that the visit would enhance bilateral relations and proposed activating the Lebanese-Bulgarian parliamentary friendship committee. Verdagova, head of the Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee, reiterated Bulgaria's support for Lebanon and noted Bulgaria's commitment to aiding Lebanon through EU partnerships.
President Aoun thanked the Speaker and emphasized the historical cooperation between Lebanon and Bulgaria, indicating a mutual desire to strengthen ties in various sectors. His official visit to Bulgaria is set to conclude today, with his return to Beirut scheduled for this evening.