Israeli Ambassador Highlights Strong Ties with Bulgaria During Varna Visit

Israeli tourists value close and welcoming destinations, making Bulgaria an appealing choice, said Israeli Ambassador to Bulgaria Levi Sfari during a meeting with Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev. Sfari noted Varna's attractiveness as a tourist hub and predicted an increase in Israeli visitors, especially after the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Regular flights between Israel and Bulgarian cities, including Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas during summer, further facilitate travel, CE Report quotes BTA

The Ambassador highlighted the longstanding cooperation between Israel and Bulgaria in education, economy, culture, and tourism. He also acknowledged the challenges Israel has faced in recent months, recalling that Hamas took 250 hostages in October 2023, with 94 still in captivity. The recent ceasefire agreement marks a step toward their release, Sfari added.

Mayor Kotsev and Sfari discussed promoting Varna in Israel and potential cultural exchanges. Kotsev emphasized learning from Israel's expertise in water management and recycling, which could help Varna optimize its rich but underutilized water resources.