Jakarta – ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn met with H.E. Nikolay Pavlov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on Thursday.
The meeting underscored Bulgaria’s growing engagement with Southeast Asia and its intent to deepen cooperation with ASEAN under the framework of the ASEAN–European Union Strategic Partnership.
The visit follows Bulgarian President Rumen Radev’s tour of Singapore and Vietnam in November 2024, which signalled Sofia’s renewed focus on Southeast Asia.
Dr. Kao congratulated Deputy Minister Pavlov on his appointment in June 2025 and welcomed Bulgaria’s interest in strengthening ties with ASEAN and its Member States.
Key areas of discussion included:
- Digital economy and innovation, with emphasis on ICT and Artificial Intelligence.
- Green transition and renewable energy, where Bulgaria has developed expertise in clean energy solutions.
- Agri-food standards and production, supporting food security and sustainable agriculture.
- Connectivity and logistics, to enhance trade and regional integration.
- Tourism, as a sector for cultural and economic exchange.
Both sides noted the significance of Bulgaria’s recent deployment of an Economic and Trade Attaché at its Embassy in Jakarta, the first such posting in over two decades, highlighting Sofia’s commitment to expanding economic engagement in the region.
Dr. Kao recognised Bulgaria’s strengths in technology start-ups, AI, clean energy, and agri-food production, and welcomed opportunities for ASEAN to collaborate in these fields.
He also stressed that cooperation must be anchored in ASEAN Centrality, ensuring that partnerships support the region’s collective priorities.
The Secretary-General further encouraged Bulgaria to support Timor-Leste’s full integration into ASEAN, following its admission as the bloc’s eleventh Member State earlier this week.
Discussions also touched on ASEAN’s long-term vision, including the implementation of ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future and the development of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing optimism for closer cooperation in areas of mutual interest, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening ASEAN–Bulgaria relations within the broader ASEAN–EU framework.
Sources: ASEAN Secretariat News, The Jakarta Post, Tempo
