site.btaPM Ishiba: Japanese Companies Show Increasing Interest in Bulgaria

Japanese companies are showing more interest in Bulgaria, with an increase in business activities. This is what Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said after a meeting with Bulgarian Head of State Rumen Radev in Tokyo. The two officials signed a declaration on raising bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Japan to the level of strategic partnership.

“President Rumen Radev and I agreed to elevate the relations between Japan and Bulgaria - two countries that share common values and principles - to the level of a strategic partnership. In today's world, when the international community is faced with a multitude of challenges, security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific region is becoming increasingly interlinked. Close cooperation between countries that share common core values has never been more necessary. In this context, we have reaffirmed our determination to continue close cooperation with Bulgaria. A country which is a member of the European Union and NATO, which attaches great importance to the rule of law and maintaining international order, both bilaterally and on the international stage,” the Prime Minister of Japan said. 

“In view of the availability of skilled professionals and the country's role as a regional innovation hub, cooperation in new technologies is also gaining momentum. In support of these developments, we have agreed to strengthen economic ties, including by sending a Japanese business mission to implement other joint initiatives,” he added. 

“The two countries are already successfully implementing a number of joint initiatives within the framework of the Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative, which bring concrete benefits to the region. For example, the joint organization of seminars on disaster risk prevention. We confirmed our commitment to maintain and promote this cooperation in the future,” Shigeru Ishiba stressed, adding that the two countries can cooperate in areas such as security, economy, culture, education and others. 

Head of State Rumen Radev is on an official visit to Japan leading a delegation which also includes representatives of the Bulgarian business. On Monday, Radev had an audience with Emperor Naruhito of Japan, with whom he held talks for half an hour at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Earlier on Tuesday, the President also took part in a business forum, which was attended by representatives of about 150 Japanese companies from all fields.