On September 19, 2025, H. E. Mr. Rami bin Saud Al-Otaibi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Bulgaria,

hosted a reception at the Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia on the occasion of the 95th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In the "Shakespeare" and "Mozart" halls, the event was honored by the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Atanas Zafirov, as well as ministers and deputy ministers, representatives of Bulgarian state institutions, the diplomatic corps, the business community, cultural circles, and the media.

E. Mr. Rami bin Saud Al-Otaibi addressed the guests with a welcoming speech:

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Distinguished Guests,

Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.

It is my great pleasure and honor to welcome you all on this cherished national occasion - the 95th National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where we celebrate a proud history, a vibrant present, and a promising future.

On September 23, 1932, the Founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, may God have mercy on him, unified the lands of this nation under the principle of the unity of God, marking the dawn of a new era of unity and development, and establishing a modern state grounded in faith, progress, and justice.

Since that historic day, the Kingdom has advanced steadily along the path of growth.

In recent years, it has undergone an extraordinary transformation under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz,

and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, may God protect them, through Saudi Vision 2030.

This ambitious vision, launched in 2016, has already proven its success in a remarkably short period, turning challenges into opportunities. The contribution of the non-oil sector to the national GDP has increased, domestic and international investments have grown, privatization initiatives have expanded, and major strategic projects such as NEOM, Qiddiya, the Red Sea Project, and others have been launched, projects that are redefining the Kingdom’s economic and developmental landscape.

The Kingdom has also achieved remarkable progress in empowering women, raising employment rates, and enhancing quality of life, alongside impressive growth in the tourism and cultural sectors, and securing leading global positions in competitiveness, innovation, and digital transformation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Bulgaria are witnessing rapid advancement across many fields, driven by shared political will and a clear strategic vision.

Activating the Saudi-Bulgarian Joint Committee represents an important step toward strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of economy, renewable energy, and technology. This promising partnership provides a firm foundation for promoting stability and sustainable development in both countries.

Dear Guests,

On this National Day, we proudly reflect on our achievements and look forward to the future with confidence. The Kingdom does not view the future as uncertain, but as a project to be built with determination, effort, and ambition.

Once again, I warmly welcome you all. May every year find our leadership, our people, and our nation in prosperity, honor, and security.

Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.

Following the ambassador’s speech, traditional Saudi songs and instrumental performances filled the reception, captivating the guests. Each of them also had the opportunity to taste exquisite dishes from the Arabian cuisine, typical of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Photos courtesy of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Republic of Bulgaria.
Above: H. E. Mr. Rami bin Saud Al-Otaibi delivering his speech. Below: His Excellency welcoming his guests; moments from the reception.