CAIRO, April 23 (MENA) - Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Ambassador Wael Hamed and Deputy Foreign Minister of Bulgaria Maria Angelieva had a round of political talks here on Wednesday.

The two diplomats discussed a wide range of common interest issues, especially ways to increase the volume of trade exchange and joint investments, given the unprecedented surge in bilateral trade, which hit $1.8 billion in 2024, about 50 per cent higher than the volume achieved during to the previous year.

The talks also covered cooperation in the energy, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and fertilizers industries, as well as opportunities for moving Bulgarian companies' business centers to Egypt.

Meanwhile, the Bulgarian official noted that her country is Egypt's fourth largest wheat and grain exporter.

Hamed highlighted the attractive investment environment in Egypt, thanks to the investment incentives rolled out by the Egyptian government, not to mention other competitive advantages of Egypt's business environment.

The two sides shared their views on a raft of regional and international issues of mutual concern, especially in light of the latest developments in the Middle East.

Hamed briefed the Bulgarian official on Egypt's role in restoring ceasefire in Gaza after Israel shattered the ceasefire agreement signed on January 19. He also reviewed the Early Recovery, Reconstruction, and Development of Gaza plan adopted by at the Cairo Extraordinary Arab Summit in March.

Hamed also highlighted the determinants of Egypt's position on the crises in Libya, Sudan, the Sahel, the Sahara, and the Horn of Africa.

The Bulgarian official reviewed the latest developments related to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

The talks also addressed the issue of migration and mobility of Egyptian workers to Bulgaria, and opportunities of filling Bulgaria's workforce shortages with surplus labor in Egypt.

The talks highlighted the two countries' similar positions many regional and international issues.

Angelieva commended Egypt's pivotal role in preserving regional peace and security.

During the talks, Angelieva handed over a copy of a letter addressed to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty from his Bulgarian counterpart, stressing Bulgaria's support for the candidacy of Egypt's former minister tourism Khaled El-Enany for the post of UNESCO Director-General.

The two sides concluded by agreeing to maintain high-level exchanged visits over the period ahead, to put the results of their talks into practice, push bilateral relations forward, and coordinate on various regional and international issues on comment interest. (MENA)

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