World Federation of Consuls FICAC Central and Eastern Europe Meeting Sofia – World Capital of the Honorary Consuls

*picture: Dr Christo Iliev, HC of Republic of Mauritius to Bulgaria, awarded with special plaque of appreciation by FICAC for his dedication and support. Photos from the event can be seen in the Gallery section.

Between 13-15 of June, the first meeting of the board of the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC), organized in collaboration with the Association of the Honorary Consuls in Bulgaria (AHCB) took place in Sofia. The HC of Republic of Mauritius to Bulgaria, Dr Christo Iliev, as Board Member of the Association of Honorary Consuls was host and organizer. The event was attended by nearly 100 honorary consuls from 36 countries, diplomats, ministers, and other representatives from the business and political circles from all over the world.

This is one of the most major projects of its kind that has occurred in Bulgaria. The first day of the conference included FICAC Board Meeting, press conference, a special meeting with HRH Simeon II and a Gala Dinner for FICAC and AHCB members.

The culmination of the forum was the second day with the FICAC Central and Eastern Europe Meeting. Prominent politicians and business leaders discussed the political situation, the business opportunities and the future of the region. The main topic was the importance of the good relationships between the countries and the role of the honorary consuls.

Among the special guests and the keynote speakers were:

• H.E. Aykut Eken– President of FICAC, Honorary Consul General of Jamaica in Turkey;

• H.E. Borislav Boyanov – President of AHCB, Honorary Consul General of Malta;

• Mr. Rosen Jeliazkov - Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications of Bulgaria;

• H.E. Nikolay Vassilev, Deputy Prime Minister of Economy (2001-2003) and Minister of Transport and Communications (2003-2005), Honorary Consul of Slovenia, Managing Partner and Executive Director ExpatCapital;

• Mr. Levon Hampartzumyan, former CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, Unicredit Bulbank;

• H.E. Maxim Behar, Honorary Consul General of Seychelles, VP and Spokesperson of the Bulgarian Association, Chairman of PR & Media Committee of FICAC;

• H.E. Nikolaos Margaropoulos, FICAC Secretary-General, Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Greece

• Mr. Stamen Yanev, Executive Director of InvestBulgaria Agency.

Many additional activities were organized to keep the participants entertained during their stay such as a complimentary tour of Sofia, wine tasting, tour to Asian cultural exhibition in Sofia Central Park, a one-day trip to the city of Plovdiv.

The Forum was widely covered by the media and very beneficial to all involved in the organization.

Almost 100 honorary consuls, diplomats, ministers and other representatives from business and political circles from around the world took part in the forum, which lasted for 3 days. At the culminating event, prominent politicians and business leaders discussed the political environment, business opportunities and the future of the region. The main theme of the forum was the importance of good relations between countries and the role of honorary consuls in them.

HC Hristo Iliev was awarded by FICAC with a special plaque of appreciation for his dedication and support.

Photos from the event can be viewed in the Gallery section.

The African countries accredited in Bulgaria - South Africa, Sudan, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Palestine and the Honorary Consuls of Mauritius, Seychelles and Guinea marked Africa Day in Bulgaria with a glamourous celebration at the City Garden (National Theatre Ivan Vazov Garden) in Sofia. Africa Day is an annual celebration where all African countries represented in Bulgaria manifesting their culture. Freshly cooked delicacies, traditional drinks, native dances and historical artifacts were exhibited to the guests to spread the African spirit.

This year’s organization of the celebrations was done by H.E. Mrs. Latifa BENAZZA, Ambassador of Algeria to Bulgaria, and Dean of the African Group, under the auspice of Ms Iliana Iotova, Vice-President of the Republic of Bulgaria. A significant number of distinguished guests, Bulgarian citizens and foreign tourists came to enjoy African music, costumes, souvenirs and traditional dishes and dance to African rhythms in an atmosphere of friendship and conviviality. This celebration, placed under the motto “A healthy lifestyle prolongs life” received wide coverage by Bulgarian media, including television, print media, and social networks.

HC Mauritius presented the rich culture, high-class tourism and vast business possibilities in the country, ranked highest in Africa for Democracy, Economic and Sustainable development. Kids had the chance to touch the sand and corals from the Mauritius coasts and their parents to try traditional Mauritius rum.

Photos from the event can be seen in the Gallery section.

The HC of Republic of Mauritius to Bulgaria, Dr Christo Iliev, as Board Member of the Association of Honorary Consuls, was host to Ms. Pooja Kapur, Ambassador of India to the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia.

Ms. Kapur joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1996 and has previously served at Indian Embassies / High Commissions in Paris, London, Kuala Lumpur and Brussels. Ms. Kapur has held charges pertaining to India’s relationship with Western Europe, South East Asia, the United Nations and the Commonwealth at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, most recently heading the ASEAN Multilateral Division.

Ms. Kapur is a published author and a frequent speaker at international conferences and events. She was the Chief Coordinator of the Delhi Dialogue for three years.

Ms. Kapur was a Chevening scholar at the University of Oxford and has a Masters in Public Administration from the Ecole Nationale d’Administration in Paris, along with a B.A. (Honours) and M.A. in Political Science from the University of Delhi. She is a university topper and recipient of several academic scholarships and awards.

Among the subjects discussed were India and region, as well as other global pressing points, the good bilateral relationship, economic perspectives and the important role of HC. The growing good relationship with Mauritius was pointed out.

The HC of Republic of Mauritius to Bulgaria, Dr Christo Iliev, as Board Member of the Association of Honorary Consuls, was host to H.E.Mr. Eric Seth Rubin, Ambassador of USA in Bulgaria. He was the special guest at the “Meaningful Meetings” initiative, hosted by Consul Corps Bulgaria.

Among the subjects discussed were Brexit, EU and the Balkan region, as well as other global pressing points, the good bilateral relationship, in line with the important role of HC.

Ekaterina Zaharieva: Our foreign policy must have an economic focus

The HC of Republic of Mauritius to Bulgaria, Dr Christo Iliev, as Board Member of the Association of Honorary Consuls, meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva.

At the meeting Minister Zaharieva discussed the possibilities for working together in the sphere of international and economic relations of our country. "Bulgarian foreign policy must be economically oriented. For all ambassadors, I say that our country´s economy is a top priority. This can be done through culture and tourism, which would contribute to the development of the Bulgarian business, "said our foreign minister.

Minister Zaharieva supports the idea of creation of a Honorary Consulate of Bulgaria in Mauritius as a mean of better facilitating the potential of our economies and bilateral communication.

Ekaterina Zaharieva pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working hard to improve the visa services in order not to suffer the Bulgarian business. "We are expanding the visa centers in Russia to more than 50, in China - to over 15, in India since March we will have exported visa centers, and Vietnam is under negotiations at the moment," the minister said.

Ekaterina Zaharieva informed the leadership of the Association of Honorary Consuls that at the initiative of the Ministry in October a meeting of all Honorary Consuls representing Bulgaria will be organized. Such a forum would contribute to attracting investment to Bulgaria. "I think Honorary Consuls can do a great job and they do it. I am grateful to many honorable consuls for the support of the development of the Bulgarian business, "said Minister Zaharieva.

The HC of Republic of Mauritius to Bulgaria, Dr Christo Iliev, as Board Member of the Association of Honorary Consuls, was host to Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev yesterday in Sofia to discuss the possibilities for working together to develop the international and economic relations of our country. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev was also present at the meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev presented details of the foreign economic policy of the government. He stressed the important role of Honorary Consuls accredited in Bulgaria in foreign countries for the development of our country´s international relations, the improvement of the business environment and the attraction of foreign investments. In details to the guests were explained the activities of the Association and the readiness to work even more deeply in partnership with both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other institutions.

The African countries accredited in Bulgaria - South Africa, Sudan, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Palestine and the Honorary Consuls of Mauritius, Seychelles and Guinea marked Africa Day in Bulgaria with a celebration on 26 May 2018, at the City Garden (National Theatre Ivan Vazov Garden) in Sofia. The theme of the celebration was “Africa in Bulgaria” and the programme included African songs and dances, sale of African food, clothing and jewellery, story-telling and drumming.

Africa Day was officially opened at 11:00 hours by Ms Iliana Iotova, Vice-President of the Republic of Bulgaria, by Mr Petko Draganov, Director General of Political Affairs General Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria and HE MsVanessa Calvert Ambassador of South Africa to Bulgaria and Dean of the African Group.

Africa Day 2018 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity, later changed to African Union, the main aim of which are securing peace on the continent, developing democracy and respecting human rights and freedoms.

HC Mauritius presented the rich culture, high-class tourism and vast business possibilities in the country, ranked highest in Africa for Democracy, Economic and Sustainable development. Kids had the chance to touch the sand and corals from the Mauritius coasts and their parents to try traditional Mauritius rum.

Photos from the event can be viewed in the Gallery section.

Media coverage:

https://novini.bg/razvlecheniq/liubopitno/483457

https://www.dnes.bg/obshtestvo/2018/05/26/afrika-v-bylgariia-s-pesni-i-tanci-za-mir-i-edinstvo.377565

https://trud.bg/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B5%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%D1%8A%D1%82-%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B8-%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8F-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B0%D1%84%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0/

http://www.informo.bg/bg/2018/05/26/%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8F%D1%82-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B0%D1%84%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D1%81%D0%B5-%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8F%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D0%B2-%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D1%81-%D0%B0%D1%84/

https://www.bnt.bg/bg/a/svetoven-den-na-afrika

https://www.24chasa.bg/ojivlenie/article/6883191

http://pik.bg/%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%8F%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B9%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8F-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B0%D1%84%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0-news752958.html

http://www.sofia.utre.bg/2018/05/26/495654-den_na_afrikanskata_kultura_v_stolitsata

http://news.bnt.bg/bg/a/v-sofiya-otbelyazvat-praznika-na-afrikanskata-kultura

http://bulbox.net/novini/6646224/

https://sofiaglobe.com/2018/05/25/africa-day-celebration-to-be-held-in-sofias-city-garden-on-may-26/

http://news.bnt.bg/bg/a/v-denya-na-afrika-poslanikt-na-yuar-u-nas-pred-bnt

https://offnews.bg/obshtestvo/afrika-praznuva-pred-narodnia-teatar-681387.html

https://topnovini.bg/node/793625

https://btvnovinite.bg/bulgaria/den-na-afrika-v-sofija-dnes-video.html

https://www.24chasa.bg/ojivlenie/article/6880166

https://www.bgonair.bg/denqt-on-air/2018-05-25/denyat-na-afrika-tseli-da-pokazhe-kontinenta-kato-edna-strana

http://bulphoto.com/events/50655/

https://novini.bg/bylgariya/obshtestvo/483413

http://www.focus-news.net/news/0000/00/00/2526361/

http://focus-news.net/news/2018/05/25/2526191/vitseprezidentat-iliyana-yotova-shte-otkrie-denya-na-afrika-v-sofiya-na-26-may.html

http://www.informo.bg/bg/2018/05/26/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B5%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%D1%8A%D1%82-%D1%89%D0%B5-%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8F-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B0%D1%84%D1%80/

http://www.bta.bg/bg/gallery/image/4935029

https://bgnews.host/novini/sofiya-otbelyazva-denyat-na-afrika_960642.html

https://m.president.bg/bg/calendar/1049

https://www.bnr.bg/play/post/100975701/den-na-afrika-v-sofia

http://www.bta.bg/bg/c/VI/id/1807137

https://zname365.com/%d0%b0%d1%84%d1%80%d0%b8%d0%ba%d0%b0-%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b0%d0%b7%d0%bd%d1%83%d0%b2%d0%b0-%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%b4-%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b4%d0%bd%d0%b8%d1%8f-%d1%82%d0%b5%d0%b0%d1%82%d1%8a%d1%80/

Mauritian diaspora kindly requetsed to participate in survey led by Dr Amenah Jahangeer-Chojoo Assoc.Prof Mahatma Gandhi Institute and Mauritius Research Council:

English questionnaire: 
https://goo.gl/forms/2VctegjMn3IM7wL53

Questionnaire en français:
https://goo.gl/forms/AWpEY1R9mmmilWMN2

Deadline: 31 May 2018

Minister of Tourism Bulgaria Ms. Nikolina Angelkova greets H.E. Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, Minister of Tourism of Mauritius, at the Bulgarian stand.during ITB Berlin 2018.

Discussed was closer cooperation through signing of MOU between the countries, with the rising interest in the last years.

12-member Delegation of the Mauritius Boxing Federation participating in the 69th edition of the oldest format in Europe – the International Strandja Boxing Competition in Bulgaria. The team shall attend two training camps in Bulgaria and compete with over 34 nations in the prestigious tournament 19-25 February 2018y. The HC in Sofia is happy to welcome them and hopes for medals!