site.btaPresident Awards Outgoing French Ambassador Joel Meyer with Order of Madara Horseman, First Class

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev presented the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Class, to outgoing French Ambassador Joel Meyer during a ceremony in Sofia on Tuesday.

A presidential decree states that the order recognizes Ambassador Meyer’s outstanding contributions to strengthening and developing bilateral relations between Bulgaria and France.

Radev said: “Last year, we marked 145 years since the establishment of our diplomatic relations with France, a country with which we share long-standing ties of friendship, mutual trust, and respect. Today, our relations are developing ever more dynamically and comprehensively. We are partners and allies within the EU and NATO, sharing common interests and values across numerous international organizations.”

The President highlighted the French diplomat’s active role in the EU’s enlargement towards the Western Balkans, his assistance in finding a solution for North Macedonia within the framework of the so-called French proposal, and his contribution to securing a common compromise reflected in the EU’s 2022 negotiating framework for North Macedonia. “This is an example of how responsible work and an objective approach allow us to resolve issues and move forward,” Radev said.

He also congratulated Ambassador Meyer on his efforts in other areas, such as expanding trade relations, cooperation in security and defence, and energy.

In his words of thanks, Ambassador Meyer spoke in Bulgarian, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the honour, which he said also recognized the good work of the entire embassy. “As ambassador, I understand that our role is to safeguard our mutual interests, so I thank everyone who has contributed to deepening our relations,” he said. According to him, the warm and welcoming Bulgarian people are Bulgaria’s true wealth. “In me, you have a friend,” the French diplomat concluded.

Joel Meyer has served as France’s ambassador to Bulgaria since 2022.