Vigenin discussed bilateral relations, new technologies and the role of the EU and China in the global order with the Chinese ambassador

With an in-depth conversation with H.E. Mrs Dai Qingli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Bulgaria, Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament closed the diplomatic year.

The meeting discussed the current political situation in Bulgaria, the BSP’s preparation for the early parliamentary elections and the challenges facing the left in the country. The Chinese side described the past year in bilateral relations as highly productive, including because of the active exchange of high-level visits between the two countries.

Kristian Vigenin emphasised the need for more active partnership between Bulgaria and China in strategic areas such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology, fields of key importance for future global development that call for a joint and responsible approach.

Relations between the EU and China

The conversation also touched on relations between the European Union and China. Vigenin stressed the importance of a balanced approach and the need for understanding of countries’ different positions, including on topics related to the war in Ukraine.

“The EU and China have to be partners and competitors, not rivals. Cooperation brings greater and more lasting benefits for both sides, especially where our interests coincide, such as the pursuit of a multipolar world based on international law and full respect for the sovereignty of states,” Kristian Vigenin stressed.