Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Moustafa Madbouli attended the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, representing Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi. During his stay, he met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the assembly, where global leaders gather to address pressing international issues. Dr. Madbouli's participation highlights Egypt's active role in international diplomacy.
Dr. Madbouli congratulated President Radev on Bulgaria's upcoming accession to the eurozone in January 2026. He viewed this development as a significant step that would enhance Bulgaria's position within the European Union. The Egyptian Prime Minister expressed his country's desire to continue cooperation and consultation with Bulgaria on various regional and international matters. Bulgaria's active role in the EU presents opportunities for collaboration.
The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Bulgaria. Dr. Madbouli emphasized the importance of activating existing frameworks for cooperation, including the third session of the economic cooperation commission and the finalization of the second session of the joint cooperation commission. These commissions are co-chaired by the foreign ministers of both countries. Enhanced cooperation is expected to boost ties in various sectors.
Economic relations between Egypt and Bulgaria have shown positive growth in recent times. Dr. Madbouli noted that the volume of bilateral trade reached $1.5 billion in 2025. Egypt is proud to be Bulgaria's first commercial partner in the Middle East and Africa. The Egyptian Prime Minister expressed hope that this strong trade relationship would attract more Bulgarian investments to the Egyptian market.
Dr. Madbouli also discussed tourism with President Radev, expressing his desire to increase the number of Bulgarian tourists visiting Egypt. To facilitate this, he suggested examining the possibility of establishing direct flights between Cairo and Sofia. The two leaders also considered the option of charter flights between tourist destinations in both countries, which could pave the way for regular flights in the future.
President Radev welcomed the development of relations between Bulgaria and Egypt in recent years. He conveyed his greetings to President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi and expressed his wish to host him in Bulgaria soon. This mutual interest in strengthening ties reflects a shared commitment to deepening cooperation.
The meeting between Dr. Madbouli and President Radev underscores the growing diplomatic engagement between Egypt and Bulgaria. Both countries are keen on expanding their collaboration in economic, tourism, and international spheres. As global events continue to unfold, the relationship between these two nations is likely to play a significant role in regional dynamics.
Key points
- Egypt and Bulgaria are set to strengthen economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching $1.5 billion in 2025.
- The two countries are exploring direct flights to boost tourism and investment.
- Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone in 2026 is expected to enhance its role in the European Union.
