After a 40-year break at the “Georgi Benkovski“ Vietnamese pilots will be trained again.
This was announced by President Rumen Radev in Hanoi during the meeting with the community of Vietnamese citizens who studied and worked in Bulgaria – representatives of the “Vietnam–Bulgaria” Friendship Association, specified "New Television".
"Forty years ago, when I was a cadet at our Higher Air Force School, I learned the secrets of aviation together with Vietnamese cadets. I am extremely glad that, after a 40-year hiatus, the training of five Vietnamese airmen will begin again at our air force school any moment. For me, this is a huge success and only the beginning of future, even stronger cooperation", said Rumen Radev.
„I am particularly happy that my official visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the invitation of President Luong Cuong begins precisely with a meeting with you – the community of Vietnamese citizens who worked and graduated in Bulgaria”, said the head of state. “We have not forgotten you in Bulgaria and we are following with great interest what is happening in Vietnam. I want to congratulate you on the bold and effective reforms and the incredible socio-economic development of Vietnam, which is marked by an economic growth unattainable for many countries in the world. In Bulgaria, we are proud that it is you, with the knowledge, skills and experience you gained in our country, who contribute significantly to the development of today's Vietnam, Radev said.
The President noted that his visit is on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Vietnam. Bulgaria is the first country in Southeast Europe where the Vietnamese language and culture are studied and promoted, Radev also pointed out.
He pointed out that cooperation between the two countries can be developed in a number of areas – trade, investments, energy, mechanical engineering, construction, information technology, agriculture, tourism, pharmacy and others, said Radev.
In the Bulgarian delegation to Vietnam, he is accompanied by three ministers, two mayors and representatives of leading Bulgarian companies. The President is accompanied by representatives of Bulgarian business from the fields of information and high technologies, defense, engineering, etc. Together with them are the Minister of Education and Science Galin Tsokov, Minister of Innovation and Growth Rosen Karadimov and Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev, as well as mayors of Bulgarian municipalities. The President was accompanied by his wife Desislava Radeva. An agreement is expected to be signed between the ministers of education of Bulgaria and Vietnam.
The head of state presented a badge of honor to the president of the Vietnam-Bulgaria Friendship Association. The award was given to its chairman, Huynh Quet Thang. The distinction is related to the active role of the association in the development of relations between Bulgaria and Vietnam and for the tireless support of Bulgarian initiatives on Vietnamese territory.
„Today's reception is a true testimony to the respect, appreciation and hospitality that Vietnamese citizens who have studied and worked in Bulgaria have towards our country,” said Bulgarian Ambassador to Vietnam Pavlin Todorov. “Next year we will be celebrating 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. I strongly believe that together we will celebrate what has been achieved so far and continue to build on our cooperation, deepen the ties between our two nations and inspire more people to join this wonderful work,” added Ambassador Todorov.
Bulgaria has received and trained over five thousand Vietnamese students and over 40 thousand. trainees, said Huynh Quet Thang. We have gained valuable skills and work experience from our Bulgarian colleagues, he added. During the reception, Vietnamese citizens performed songs in Vietnamese and in Bulgarian.