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Later on Monday, on behalf of President Serzh Sargsyan and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan, a state dinner was offered to Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Mrs. Dessislava Radeva, the presidential press office reported.

Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Rumen Radev rose toasts in which they touched upon the interstate relations between Armenia and Bulgaria, as well as the friendship between the Armenian and Bulgarian peoples, based on mutual respect, shared values and traditions.

President Sargsyan spoke about the historical affinities between the Armenian and Bulgarian peoples and the emerging interstate relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

“Working together in the past quarter century on both bilateral and multilateral platforms, we went through a series of rapidly alternating events, we multiplied and consolidated the ties we had inherited, giving them a more practical, more objective and future-oriented dimension. My speech is about our achievements in political, trade and economic fields, tourism, inter-parliamentary cooperation, defense, scientific-educational and cultural spheres,” President Sargsyan said.

Noting that earlier today the President of Bulgaria called at the general school after great Bulgarian poet Peyo Yavorov in Yerevan, Serzh Sargsyan emphasized that the school and the affiliated museum are brilliant examples of how children may establish close ties of friendship.

“The foundation of our friendship is solid, but even the most solid foundation needs everyday care and attention. We have to continue working in a bid to qualitatively improve our relationship. We must continue to work better not only to retain our inheritance, but also to strengthen our present achievements through tangible accomplishments.

Please join me to raise a cup of friendship to the President of friendly Bulgaria Mr. Radev and his spouse Mrs. Radeva, for the prosperity of the worthy Bulgarian people and for the durability of the Armenian-Bulgarian friendship,” President Serzh Sargsyan said.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev thanked President Sargsyan for the invitation to visit Armenia, as well as for warm and cordial hospitality shown to his wife, his delegation and himself.

President Radev expressed confidence that the effective meetings will promote the activation of political dialogue and create conditions for mutually beneficial cooperation between Armenia and Bulgaria in all mutually beneficial fields.

“I am excited because after an interval of 14 years, a Bulgarian president visits Armenia, and I am confident that today’s productive meetings will help us promote the political dialogue and provide conditions for deepening bilateral cooperation between Armenia and Bulgaria in all mutually beneficial fields.

I cannot but rejoice that my visit to your wonderful and ancient capital comes on the eve of a brilliant holiday - the 2800th anniversary of Yerevan’s founding.

There are traditional friendly relations between Bulgaria and Armenia, which are based on the multifaceted and cultural ties between the Bulgarian and Armenian peoples: our relationships have never seen outstanding issues. The Bulgarian and Armenian peoples are united in the sense of mutual sympathy and solidarity that arose from their history full of hardships,” President Radev said.

Touching upon the Armenian-Bulgarian friendly relations, the President of Bulgaria attached importance to the role of the Bulgarian-Armenian community which, according to him, is a bridge between the two countries.

According to President Radev, the representatives of the Armenian community constitute an important part of Bulgaria’s social and political life. They have preserved their Armenian culture and identity; their professional achievements are the wealth of Bulgaria.

Noting that the 140th birth anniversary of great Bulgarian poet, playwright and revolutionary Peyo Javorov was marked on January 13, Rumen Radev noted that he is as familiar and beloved as a writer in both Bulgaria and Armenia. According to President Radev, Yovorov has built bridges of friendship between the two peoples with his poem entitled “The Armenians.”

The President of the Republic of Bulgaria touched upon the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement signed between Armenia and the European Union, expressing confidence that after ratification it would become a tool of closer co-ordination and cooperation with the EU.

“I am sincerely glad that my visit is being held at a time when Bulgaria has assumed the presidency of the European Union Council. This is one of my few trips to a third country during this period, which proves the indisputable importance we give to the relations with Armenia.

Let me once again extend my compliments on the signing of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Armenia. I am convinced that after a quick ratification it will become an instrument of closer co-ordination and cooperation with the EU.

During the Bulgarian presidency, our country will continue to pay attention to and support all EU policies that will also contribute to the strengthening of our bilateral relations. We are convinced that they should lead to specific and tangible results for our citizens, enhancing friendship ties, logistics, contacts between people and cooperation in education,” the President of Bulgaria stated.

Rumen Radev presented the results of the meetings held in the framework of his State visit to Armenia which, in his opinion, will add momentum to the ongoing political dialogue and economic relations between the two countries.

“In conclusion, I would like to express confidence that considering the historical affinities between our two peoples and the prospects of Bulgarian-Armenian cooperation that were discussed during my visit, our latest arrangements will be welcome in both Bulgaria and Armenia.

Let me raise a toast for the well-being and prosperity of President of the Republic of Armenia, His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan, the Republic of Armenia and the friendly Armenian nation, as well as for the future of Bulgarian-Armenian relations and the health of all those present,” President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev said during the state dinner offered on behalf of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.