Sheikh Abdullah and Ekaterina Zaharieva during the opening of UAE Embassy premises in Sofia, Bulgaria. WAM

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has opened the new premises of the UAE Embassy in Sofia, as part of his state visit to Bulgaria.

"The opening of the embassy translates the UAE's keenness to boost prospects of cooperation with Bulgaria across various fields," said Sheikh Abdullah after cutting the ribbon and raising the curtain, inaugurating the new premises of the embassy in the presence of Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva.

Zaharieva stressed that the opening of the embassy is a step forward on the path to bolstering the steadily growing relations between the two friendly nations.

Abdulwahab Nasser Hassan Al Najjar, UAE Ambassador to Bulgaria and several Arab and foreign ambassadors accredited to Bulgaria, attended the opening ceremony.

In statements to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, on the sidelines of the Sixth News Agencies World Congress in the Bulgarian capital Sophia, Zaharieva said the two countries have excellent relations, citing the increase in the exchange of official visits by top diplomats and leaders from the two countries over the past period.

"Opening the UAE embassy in Sophia after Bulgaria opened its Embassy in Abu Dhabi last year is a significant step toward further strengthening the excellent relations between the two sides," said Bulgaria’s top diplomat.

"I’m very happy with the current visit by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed and I am sure the distinguished relations between the two sides will lead to more fruitful results at the tourist, trade and investment levels as well enhance interaction between the two peoples," she added.

The minister expressed hope to see more collaboration between the two sides in terms of technology and artificial intelligence.

WAM