Korea-Bulgaria Summit Planned in Seoul
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov and his wife will arrive in Seoul next Sunday for a three-day state visit, during which he will hold a summit with President Lee Myung-bak, Cheong Wa Dae announced Monday.
Parvanov will also meet with key economic and diplomatic officials, the presidential office said.
It will be the first visit to Korea by a Bulgarian head of state since 1995.
Lee and Parvanov will discuss ways to boost bilateral economic and cultural ties and strengthen cooperation on global issues.
Following the summit, the two governments will sign agreements to boost military and cultural exchanges.
The summit will also focus on preparing joint programs to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Korea-Bulgaria diplomatic relations in 2010, it said. Bilateral trade reached $215 million in 2008.
After the summit, President Parvanov plans to visit cultural relics in the southeastern ancient capital city of Gyeongju and adjacent industrial complexes.
He will also deliver a speech on upgrading Korea-Bulgaria relations during a business forum Oct. 27 co-hosted by the Bulgarian Embassy in Seoul and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.