BUDAPEST, 31 January 2023 – Philippine Ambassador Frank R. Cimafranca presented his letters of credence as non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to President Rumen Radev of the Republic of Bulgaria at the Presidential Administration Building in Sofia on 26 January 2023.
The presentation was followed by a twenty-minute discussion between President Radev and Ambassador Cimafranca with a focus on enhancing relations between the two countries.
Both acknowledged that it is important to resume the political consultations this year, especially that the Philippines and Bulgaria are celebrating in 2023 the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Both also agreed that Philippines and Bulgarian bilateral relations in trade and investment should be further encouraged.
Ambassador Cimafranca thanked Bulgaria for its hospitality to the small but growing Filipino community in the country.
The ceremony was followed by a flower offering at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier located next to the 6th-century Church of St. Sophia, on Alexander Nevsky Square.
Earlier, Ambassador Cimafranca presented open copies of his credentials to Mr. Kostadin Kodzhabashev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Ambassador was accompanied by First Secretary and Consul Ria E. Gorospe and Mr. Ognian Trajanov, Philippine Honorary Consul General in Bulgaria, both in the meeting at the Bulgarian MOFA and the presentation of credential ceremony.
Source: Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs