The senator held talks with Bulgarian Ambassador to Russia and Israeli parliament members.
Deputy
Head of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Andrei Klimov held a meeting with
Bulgarian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Russian Federation
Atanas Krastin.
During the talks, the parties discussed Russian-Bulgarian inter-parliamentary connections as well as bilateral cooperation between businesses and regions. They also covered several aspects of cultural, humanitarian and tourist cooperation.
“These are exactly the spheres which allow people to build rapport within a relatively short term,” Andrei Klimov believes.
In this respect, the senator informed the high-ranking Bulgarian diplomat about the fact that Plovdiv had been selected for the next year’s itinerary of the From the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean pan-European festival and marathon held under the patronage of the Federation Council, with the support of UNESCO, the Federal Agency for the CIS Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Russian Ministry of Culture and administrations of several Russian regions.
Atanas Krastin noted the interest of Bulgarian people in learning the Russian language and the interest of Bulgarian students in Russian universities. The ambassador pointed out that Bulgaria wishes to continue cooperation with Russia in the energy sector as well as further develop inter-regional links.
Andrei Klimov also met with a delegation from the State of Israel led by member of the Knesset David Bitan.
Israel’s representatives spoke in favour of further strengthening inter-parliamentary relations.
Andrei Klimov said that Russian parliament members are ready for an honest and open exchange of opinions with mutual respect for the other party’s position. “We strive for building relations with consideration for the balance of interests.”
The meeting participants discussed Russia-Israel relations and the regional agenda.
The parties condemned any manifestations of xenophobia and terrorism.