SOFIA, (DNA) – The 3^rd Round of the Pakistan-Bulgaria Bilateral Political Consultations was held in Sofia on 7-8 December 2017. The Pakistan side was led by Ambassador Zaheer A. Janjua, Additional Secretary (Europe), while Ambassador Kostadin Kodzhabashev, Director General (Bilateral Relations), Ministry of Foreign Affairs headed the Bulgarian side.

 The two sides reviewed the whole spectrum of bilateral relations and identified opportunities and possibilities for further cooperation, especially in the spheres of trade and economy, investment, culture, education, science & technology, defence, parliamentary exchanges and people-to-people contacts. The sides expressed satisfaction at their ongoing collaboration at the UN and other multilateral fora, especially through support to each other’s candidatures.

 The two sides discussed the evolving peace and security situations in their respective regions. The Additional Secretary briefed the Bulgarian side on Pakistan’s efforts aimed at promoting peace and security in Afghanistan, Pakistan-India relations and human rights violations in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Bulgarian side appreciated Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism and sacrifices rendered by it in this regard.

Pakistan considers Bulgaria an important country in the Balkan region and the European Union, and enjoys cordial relations with it. The two sides agreed to hold the 4^th round of Consultations in Islamabad in 2018 at mutually convenient dates.