Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on Monday presented the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Class, to outgoing Cypriot Ambassador to Bulgaria Marios Kountourides for his contribution to strengthening and promoting relations between the two countries.
Radev said that Bulgaria and Cyprus remain an example of fruitful cooperation, of a common approach to the challenges of the EU and actively contribute to peace, security and stability in the region. The award is a recognition of the consistent efforts of Kountourides to develop the political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries, the Bulgarian President added.
Deep cultural and historical ties lie at the very heart of the fruitful relations between Bulgaria and Cyprus, Radev said.
Today, these ties are maintained by the Bulgarian community in Cyprus, which numbers some 25,000 people, by the community of Cypriot graduates in Bulgaria, by the 300 students from Cyprus who are now continuing their higher education in Bulgaria, he stressed, adding that those people create an important bridge for bilateral relations, which both countries will continue to develop over the years.
Kountourides, whose term of office in Sofia is coming to an end, emphasized on the deepening of relations between Bulgaria and Cyprus, adding that they are based on mutual respect, common values and goals. There is an exceptional level of trust and friendship between the governments and peoples of Bulgaria and Cyprus, the Cypriot diplomat also said.
Source: Cyprus News Agency