World news story

Bulgarian President pays an official visit to the UK

The visit will focus on business opportunities of mutual interest to the UK and Bulgaria.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Foreign Office Main Building

Foreign Office Main Building

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev will pay a three-day official visit to the UK from 17 to 19 March 2014. The visit will involve a series of meetings focusing on the business opportunities between Britain and Bulgaria. As part of the programme, President Plevneliev will also be received by Her Majesty the Queen. HRH Prince Edward will welcome the President to Buckingham Palace before the audience with the Queen.

The President will be accompanied by a delegation of Bulgarian business leaders, who will have the chance to explore trade and business opportunities with their British counterparts. The business leaders will attend a UKTI business forum, aimed at introducing Bulgarian and UK business, as well as a gala lunch with leaders from London’s Financial Sector that will be hosted by former Lord Mayor of London Sir David Wootton and attended by HRH the Duke of Kent.

On 18 March, the Foreign Secretary William Hague will host a reception for prominent Bulgarians in the UK and British citizens associated with Bulgaria. The guest list includes the mother of Plamen Petkov, who was recently awarded a posthumous bravery award by Her Majesty the Queen.

On 19 March, President Plevneliev will deliver a speech on the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration in South-Eastern Europe at Chatham House.

President Plevneliev will also meet British political leaders, among whom are Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Foreign Secretary William Hague, the Speaker of Parliament John Bercow, Ministers and senior officials from the Departments for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Foreign Office.

Jonathan Allen, British Ambassador to Bulgaria, commented:

The visit of the Bulgarian President to the UK reflects the importance of the relationship between our two countries, their peoples, and our growing commercial ties. The visit is a great opportunity to take that relationship forward.

Published 12 March 2014