site.btaDeputy PM Zafirov Pushes for Direct Beijing-Sofia Flight, Seeks Stronger Ties with China

Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov raised the need for a direct air link between Beijing and Sofia during a meeting with Zhejiang Province Governor Liu Jie, the government press service said on Friday. Both sides expressed readiness to work toward its launch.

Zafirov said Bulgaria seeks to strengthen ties with China in economic cooperation, investment, exports, science, education, culture and tourism, while also emphasizing the importance of political dialogue and regional stability. Relations, he added, should be based on balance, reciprocity and equal treatment.

The meeting also addressed trade and economic cooperation, with both sides welcoming the growth in Bulgarian agricultural exports and the successful trade fair in Ningbo.

Zafirov and his delegation attended the opening of a Demonstration Zone of Agricultural Cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European Countries (China-CEEC) and a permanent pavilion for Central and Eastern European countries.

BTA notes that Zafirov attended the 4th China-CEEC Expo and International Consumer Goods Fair on Thursday.

"The positive results in bilateral trade between Bulgaria and China are not accidental. There is no doubt that Chinese consumers are interested in Bulgarian products such as yogurt, cosmetics and rose products, which are just some of the good examples. This is demonstrated by the fact that more and more such manufacturers are managing to enter the Chinese market and their products can be noticed and purchased in various places in China," Zafirov said.

He added that future cooperation would focus on expanding green channels for product imports, easing customs clearance, and strengthening academic and research ties to promote innovation and best practices.