On 18 May 2026, the Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade (BWA) accompanied a bilateral business exchange with Bulgaria’s new Prime Minister Rumen Radev in Berlin, following his official inaugural visit with German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

After the meeting at the Federal Chancellery and the joint press conference, Prime Minister Radev took additional time for an exchange with representatives of the business community arranged by the BWA. Also participating in the discussion was Alexander Poulev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry of Bulgaria.

The focus was on the prospects for deeper German-Bulgarian economic and investment cooperation, as well as the importance of reliable partnerships within Europe. The exchange also highlighted Bulgaria’s role as an important hub for economic dialogue, industrial cooperation, and European networking.

The meeting built on the already close ties between the BWA and Bulgaria. The association will continue to actively support exchanges with Bulgarian decision-makers and companies and further promote concrete cooperation opportunities between the two countries in the future.

Michael Schumann, Chairman of the Board of the BWA, stated after the meeting:

“Close and trust-based exchange with Bulgaria is of great importance to the BWA. Especially in a time of geopolitical and economic transformation, it is essential to strengthen European partnerships, build bridges and advance concrete economic cooperation.”

The BWA welcomes the continuation of the German-Bulgarian dialogue and looks forward to further deepening cooperation with Bulgaria in the months and years ahead.