Abuja, March 1, 2024 (NAN) The government of Bulgaria has reiterated its commitment to deepening ties with Nigeria through a news exchange between the Bulgaria News Agency and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Mr Vladislav Panev, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy and Innovation, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of NAN, Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, on Friday in Abuja.
Panev, also Deputy Chairman of the PG “Continuing the Change-Democratic Bulgaria, said he was in Nigeria on invitation by 15 Nigerian Lawmakers in the National Assembly, who are friends of Bulgaria.
According to him, Bulgaria and Nigeria relationship can be traced from 1960 to mid-90s, saying it is apt for Bulgaria to revive those relationships in the education sector, industry and infrastructure.
Panev said, “The reason for the 30 years gap is because of the transition period in Bulgaria between the communist state, parliamentary democracy and national goal to be members of the EU and NATO.
“On March 31, we will become members of the Schengen area for free movement of people and that’s why I believe now is the right moment to be back in Africa, back in Nigeria.
“To partner Nigeria to build its infrastructure on the basis of mutual benefits; I wish to emphasize our priority in Nigeria is to revive people-to-people contacts and social fabrics of the bilateral relationship.
“We see the partnership between NAN and Bulgaria’s News Agency as a vital document signed almost two years ago; I would say this is the most vigorously implemented document between Bulgaria and Nigeria.
He explained that Bulgarians receive news from NAN everyday and that such is printed in Bulgaria, News Agency websites and vice versa on social media accounts.
Panev, a Parliamentarian, expressed appreciation for NAN’s cooperation saying it has to revive partnership between both countries, particularly people-to-people contact and the social fabric.
“This is represented by the Bulgarian Alumni Association that accounts for more than 4,000 active members, who are also the best messengers of friendship and cooperation between our nations.
“This is a part of comprehensive understanding from our side about the people-to-people contacts and NAN is part of a broader perspective that we have.
“We have also developed a partnership between the national libraries and we are hopeful that soon between the national televisions, but we are happy NAN is the flag bearer of this cooperation.
“I am hopeful and confident that under your (Ali) able leadership, this cooperation will only thrive further in this vein.
“I have the mandate from the Director-General of the Bulgarian News Agency to invite you to Bulgaria at any proper time according to your schedule for the return visit he paid two years ago here.”
Responding, Ali commended the working relations between the Nigerian legislature and the parliament in Bulgaria to have been established on mutual grounds.
According to him, the Nigerian legislature will have a lot to learn from the parliament in Bulgaria.
“I am positive that with this renewed focus on people-to-people contact Nigeria and Bulgaria will go a long way in fostering closer ties.
“This manifested in the close ties between the Bulgarian News Agency and NAN, at the MoU signed a couple of years ago, I actually interfaced with my opposite number recently in China.
“I am going to contact my opposite number in the Bulgarian News Agency, since the understanding reached we benefited from the wealth of experience of the Agency, so this invitation is warmly received.
“I am sure our horizon will be expanded. Now with this renewed people-to-people contact you will find a ready partner that is the embassy, parliament of Bulgaria and NAN,” Ali said.
He observed that the exchange of news between NAN and the Bulgarian News Agency had actually opened up Bulgaria in a way, because of the news coming from Bulgaria.
“I am sure with time, Nigerian investors will go open business and with the news exchange between the NAN and the Bulgarian News Agency, person-to-person contact we will get there.
“We look forward to a more rewarding relationship, not just between NAN and the Bulgarian News Agency, but also in other spheres.
“This is heartwarming that there is a partnership with National Library and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) that rely on news content by NAN, because we are represented in every nook and cranny,” he added.
