Jordan, Bulgaria sign cooperation agreement in various fields

AMMAN — Jordan and Bulgaria on Thursday signed a cooperation agreement in the field of education, science and culture for 2018-2020.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury and Bulgarian Ambassador in Amman Venelin Lazarov, a Planning Ministry statement said.

Fakhoury said that the programme comes as part of Jordan’s endeavours to enhance bilateral relations with Bulgaria in fields of common interest, given that it comprises various executive measures in education, higher education, arts, media culture, museums and archaeology. 

Fakhoury noted that the programme stems from the agreement of scientific and cultural cooperation signed between the two countries on April 7, 1974, which resulted in the signing of several executive programmes for scientific and cultural cooperation over the past years. This programme is the 12th of its kind since 1974, according to the statement.

The minister said that these programmes mostly included the exchange of scholarships between the two countries, the visits of experts and educational delegations, participation in conferences, seminars and training courses, the exchange of artistic and folkloric troupes and the establishment of exhibitions and cultural festivals in both countries. 

The talks between the minister and the ambassador also covered investment and supporting Jordan to better benefit from simplifed rules of origin for Jordanian exports in the EU, and considering Jordan as gateway for investment in the region.

For his part, Lazarov expressed his delight over signing of the agreement, describing it as “an important step in enhancing bilateral cooperation”.

He stressed the Bulgarian government’s keenness on boosting cooperation with the Jordanian government in various fields.