Bulgaria and Brazil strengthen ties
Bulgaria and Brazil have agreed to expedite negotiations on signing economic co-operation agreements and enhancing bilateral trade, following lower than expected trade figures from 2009.Although Brazil is the second largest South American partner of Bulgaria, bilateral trade volumes were only 211.2 million US dollars in 2009, 35 per cent down on 2008.Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolai Mladenov, speaking at a press conference with Brazilian foreign minister Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim, said the figures disappointed expectations.Both sides signed a declaration aimed at strengthening cooperation in education, culture, energy, tourism and other areas of mutual interest.The Bulgarian-Brazilian partnership played a positive role in developing the economic, social and cultural potential of southeast Europe, and strengthening co-operation between the Balkans and South America, the declaration said.