site.btaDeputy PM Zafirov, Dutch Ambassador Discuss Bilateral Ties

At a meeting here on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov and Dutch Ambassador Arthur den Hartog discussed bilateral relations and the opportunities to deepen the bilateral cooperation, the government information service reported.

Zafirov noted that in 2024, the total amount of Dutch investments reached EUR 7.5 billion, which puts the Netherlands in first place in terms of foreign direct investment in Bulgaria, and expressed hope for strengthening trade and expanding commercial cooperation between the two countries.

Zafirov also noted that Bulgarian students rank seventh in number at Dutch universities, and nearly 60,000 Bulgarian citizens live in that country.

Bulgaria greatly appreciates the assistance of the Netherlands in border control, including in the fight against human trafficking and airspace security, provided within the framework of permanent structured cooperation in the field of defence.

Ambassador Arthur den Hartog said he would make every effort to mediate and intensify relations between the two countries, including at the level of government visits and friendship and cooperation groups between the parliaments of the two countries.

According to the Ambassador, 35,000 Bulgarians are officially registered in the Netherlands, but many more are not registered. He expressed his willingness to provide expert assistance in the fight against human trafficking, water sector management, and the rule of law. He noted that one of the areas with great potential for cooperation is precisely the fight against human trafficking and the prevention of labour and sexual exploitation.