Bulgaria’s President Rosen Plevneliev visited the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) and met with EUMM Head K?stutis Jankauskas and with Bulgarian observers participating in the EUMM on Wednesday.

Plevneliev made clear that Bulgaria was in favor of a strong presence of the EUMM in the country.

He assured that Bulgaria would retain its commitment and contribution to the success of the mission.

Plevneliev acquainted himself with the activity of the EUMM and commented on its role in the context of new challenges to regional stability and security.

In his talks with Bulgarian observers in the country Plevneliev expressed his appreciation of their work and emphasized Bulgaria’s commitment to the international efforts at a peaceful settlement of the conflicts in the region, including through effective monitoring presence in Georgia.

Bulgaria has been participating in the EU mission in Georgia since its establishment in 2008 with a team of 14 observers out of a total of 250, according to the press office of the Bulgarian President.

Plevneliev also met with Parliament Speaker Davit Usupashvili and expressed Bulgaria’s condolences for the victims of the flood that hit Tbilisi overnight on Sunday.

Usupashvili thanked Plevneliev for Bulgaria’s assistance.

During the talks they exchanged views on key issues on the regional and international agenda with an emphasis on the need for greater cohesion in the Black Sea region as a precondition for greater stability and security.

Plevneliev outlined Bulgaria’s benefits as an investment destination and presented the conditions for doing business in the country.

He also spoke about Bulgarian companies looking to expand their activity abroad.

Plevneliev also met with Catholicos Patriarch of all Georgia Ilia II on Wednesday and the two exchanged views on the close ties between the Bulgarian and Georgian orthodox churches.

In a Wednesday meeting with Georgian counterpart Giorgi Margvelashvili Plevneliev pledged material and financial support to the country in the efforts to cope with the damage caused by the June 13 flood in Tbilisi.

Summing up the results of the political talks held on the first day of his visit to Georgia, Plevneliev said that the two countries had become indispensable factors in their regions, adding that they shared common values and a common goal for a democratic and development in an EU context.

Plevneliev’s ongoing visit is the first visit of a Bulgarian head of state to Georgia in 15 years.

On June 18 Plevneliev will visit the port city of Batumi, where he will be a keynote speaker in the 12th International Conference – "Georgia's European Way."