On the Eve of the Republic Day the Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan Opened in the Bulgarian City of Blagoevgrad

Blagoevgrad, October 18, 2024 - Ambassador of Kazakhstan Viktor Temirbayev paid an official visit to the cultural and educational centre of Southwestern Bulgaria – Blagoevgrad city.

The main event of the visit was the opening ceremony of the Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in Blagoevgrad. The well-known businessman and founder of a number of large companies in the region Rashko Dinkov was appointed as Honorary Consul. The event was attended by the Mayor of the Blagoevgrad region Georgi Dinev, the leadership of the city municipality, representatives of the public, business, scientific and cultural circles.

Emphasizing the high level of relations between our countries, Ambassador Viktor Temirbayev noted that Bulgaria is one of the largest trade and economic partners of Kazakhstan in the Balkans.

The Kazakh diplomat emphasized the symbolism and importance of opening the Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan on the eve of the Republic Day in the Blagoevgrad region, one of the largest cultural and tourist regions of the country. According to him, this will allow our countries to intensify cooperation in implementing joint projects in the fields of agriculture, construction, chemical and textile industries.

The Mayor of the Blagoevgrad Region Georgi Dinev, who also welcomed the participants of the event, noted the high economic and investment potential of Kazakhstan and drew attention to the rapid pace of development of our country.

The Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan Rashko Dinkov expressed gratitude for the high trust shown by the Kazakh side and announced his readiness to intensify trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Kazakhstan and the assigned regions.

Earlier, at a meeting between Ambassador Viktor Temirbayev and the newly elected Mayor of Blagoevgrad Metodi Baikushev, the interlocutors noted the important role of interregional cooperation in the progressive development of trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties, and also discussed topical issues on the bilateral agenda. Along with this, the Kazakh diplomat acquainted with the latest political changes and reforms, as well as the main provisions and key tasks of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s State of the Nation Addresses and the results of the referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan.

In turn, Metodi Baikushev expressed his readiness to develop interregional relations with Kazakhstan, assuring his support for initiatives to further strengthen mutually beneficial partnership.

Along with this, as part of the visit, a meeting was held with representatives of the local business community, during which the investment opportunities of our country were presented to Bulgarian businesses, in particular new opening niches and measures of state support for foreign investors ready to implement investment projects in the processing industries of the economy.

In order to strengthen cooperation in the educational sphere, Ambassador Viktor Temirbayev held a meeting with the President of the American University in Bulgaria Margie Ensign. During the meeting, Ambassador Viktor Temirbayev informed the head of the university about the special status and historical value of the Republic Day, symbolizing the highest heritage of our country, and then a thorough exchange of views took place regarding the prospects for cooperation between educational institutions of various profiles.

The American professor shared the experience of implementing the policy of the educational institution she heads to improve the quality of education in the Western context, as well as plans and priorities for developing international cooperation with foreign universities.

Ambassador Viktor Temirbayev also met with Kazakhstani students studying at the aforementioned university. During the Q&A conversation, our students were informed about the priorities and tasks within the framework of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Bulgaria in the field of higher education, about the political, socio-economic reforms carried out in the country on behalf of the Head of State and the results of the referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant, as well as the importance of registering at the Consular section of Embassy and maintaining constant communication with the consul.

Taking the opportunity, the Kazakhstani diplomat wished the students success in their studies, drawing attention to the importance of the younger generation receiving a quality education as part of the strategic course to build a fair Kazakhstan.

 

Blagoevgrad is the cultural and educational centre of Southwestern Bulgaria and the administrative centre of the Blagoevgrad municipality. The city has a developed industry, trade and transport infrastructure. In general, Blagoevgrad is the most dynamically developing centre in the region.