National Day Message by H. E. Mr. Sultan Rashid Alnuaimi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Bulgaria

Your Excellencies,

Dear Colleagues, Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps,

Dear Friends,

December 2nd marks the United Arab Emirates National Day. This year we proudly celebrate the 50th anniversary since the establishment of our country and its comprehensive renaissance and prosperity. Since 1971, just within 50 years, due to the sound vision of our government, the United Arab Emirates have reached the highest ranks in many fields of social, economic, political and cultural life.

The year 2021marked an outstanding accomplishment with the successful Mars mission "Hope Probe".

After a year of postponement, on October 1st, Dubai became the host of 192 countries for the next 182 days at the Dubai EXPO 2020.

This year we’ve celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Innovation: 50 years of imagination, 50 years of inspiration and 50 years of inclusion, one of the largest innovation festivals in the world, which has contributed to strengthening the country's position as a global hub for innovation.

The UAE has also hosted arts and culture events that are of great importance across the world.

These are just some of the many recent accomplishments our country has faced during the year, and they have set the ground for many more new hopes and achievements to be reached by next generations in the years to come.

To all our friends in Bulgaria, this year 2021, bears a special significance, as it also marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and the Republic of Bulgaria.

On these two special occasions, it gives me a great pleasure and honour to extend to you all a warm virtual greeting and a message of appreciation, reflecting the strengthening and consolidation of the UAE’s global position through its bilateral relations with friendly countries, based on the principles of mutual respect, common interest and joint action, to address international challenges in all their forms.

The relations of the United Arab Emirates with the Republic of Bulgaria come within the process of development and growth, which our country has witnessed over the last five decades. Today’s renaissance and prosperity is deeply grounded in the consistent political vision of our leadership, based on wisdom, moderation, respect and protection of human rights. This leadership has worked hard to consolidate the position of the state at the international arena and it has been successful in building excellent relations of cooperation with friendly countries, among them the Republic of Bulgaria.

In a short period of time, the UAE and Bulgaria managed to achieve remarkable development and growth in their relations in all areas of mutual interest. In this context, the United Arab Emirates views the Republic of Bulgaria as a strategic partner in the region of Eastern Europe, united by common interests, regional and global issues.

After opening of the diplomatic missions at the level of an embassy in the two capitals – Abu Dhabi and Sofia in 2018, determination of both countries has given further impetus and wider horizons to bilateral cooperation and dialogue.

We, in the United Arab Emirates, look forward to further strengthening the existing excellent relations between our two countries, as the opportunities for development in all sectors of mutual interest are countless. The exchanged visits of senior officials and business representatives from both sides have fostered the establishment of a successful mechanism for consolidation of strategic cooperation.

The success of building a strong political ground between the two countries has been reflected in the mutual coordination and support at the international arena within the framework of international organizations and the United Nations bodies as well.

In this aspect, I would like to extend my special gratitude and appreciation to the Bulgarian government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in specific, as well as to Bulgarian people, for their continuous support and commitment to the development of fruitful cooperation and deepening of bilateral ties to the mutual benefit of our two friendly countries.

On a final note, I would also like to convey my warmest greetings and best wishes to the UAE-Bulgaria Cooperation Board and all our friends in the country, who through their dedication, hard work and efforts contribute to the better future of our two peoples and the generations to come.

Happy 50th UAE National Day and Happy 30th Anniversary of UAE-Bulgaria Friendship!

The photo was provided by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Bulgaria. On it: H. E. Mr. Sultan Rashid Alnuaimi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Bulgaria