site.btaCourse in Economic Diplomacy Launched at Foreign Ministry under BSEC's Auspices

A course in economic diplomacy is organized by the Diplomatic Institute at the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry for yet another consecutive year, the Institute said on Tuesday. This edition of the four-day course is held under the auspices of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).

At the course's opening, the BSEC Secretary General, Ambassador Lazar Comanescu, presented BSEC's goals and principles and underscored the importance of economic diplomacy as a factor in regional cooperation. 

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ivan Kondov, noted the important role of economic diplomacy in the professional training of employees performing functions in Bulgaria's representations abroad. He also spoke about the current geopolitical situation, which is becoming increasingly dynamic and requires quick and expert decisions.

Prof. Georgi Angelov, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth, also took part in the opening ceremony. Later, he gave a lecture as part of the course on the topical issue “Bulgarian industry of the future: high technologies and sectors with high added value”. 

Among the guests were representatives of the diplomatic corps from EU and BSEC member states, as well as Parliament's delegation head to the BSEC Parliamentary Assembly, Petar Kanev.

The training programme includes current topics related to the essence of economic diplomacy, the challenges facing Bulgarian energy policy, Bulgaria's membership in the OECD, the structural challenges and opportunities of the Bulgarian economy, the EU's multiannual financial framework, the potential and sustainable development of industrial zones in Bulgaria, attracting investment and state mechanisms to support it, EU competitiveness, cooperation with professional organizations, etc. Thirty civil servants from seven ministries are participating in the four-day course.