The President of the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria, Dr. Solomon Passy, the President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Riyad-al-Malki, met with an audience in which several issues and topics were both discussed and debated.

Bulgaria’s role in the Middle East process as well as the position which Bulgaria could potentially take, being a member of the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, were discussed. In 2004, the Former Foreign Minister of Bulgaria, Mr. Passy, in his capacity as Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, initiated the concept of developing steady relations with the Palestinian National Authority- this remains an ongoing process. At the meeting, the possibility of Bulgaria continuing its rich efforts in promoting peace and tolerance amongst ethnicities, vital for the Middle East, was also debated.

In the presence of Mr. Passy, President Abbas sent his most sincere wishes to the Jewish community of Bulgaria, with whom he would like to meet again on his next visits to Bulgaria..  Mr. Passy even extended an invitation to President Abbas, for him to spend a vacation or two in Bulgaria.