Printer-friendly VersionThe Globe- Duhok
The cultural advisor to the Iraqi consulate in Bulgaria, Dr. Ali Michael, told The Kurdish Globe that Bulgaria is ready to open its consulate in Kurdistan Region and establish commercial relations, and he encouraged the Kurdish government not to miss the opportunity.
Dr. Michael said it is important for Kurdistan Region to develop ties with a country like Bulgaria, which is on the precipice of becoming a member of the European Union. He mentioned that Bulgaria has substantial business experience and most of the Kurdish communities living in Bulgaria are wealthy, including the merchants.
"It has been formally requested to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to help open a Bulgarian consulate in Erbil city. If the KRG approves, then a high-ranking Bulgarian political and commercial delegation will visit Kurdistan," said Dr. Michael.
He believes that Bulgaria can invest in the field of medicine as it has strong medical experience. They would also look to implement a student program to send pupils from Kurdistan to Bulgaria. Bulgaria recently allocated 20 seats in its universities for Iraqi students, including Kurdistan Region, to earn master's and doctoral degrees.
Dr. Michael announced an upcoming cultural festival in Bulgaria, and Bulgarian authority want to invite 25 people from Kurdistan Region to attend.
Regarding Kurdish immigrants in Bulgaria, he said many are married to Bulgarians, and their children know very little about Kurds and Kurdistan.
"I hope the Kurdish government opens a cultural center for those children who know nothing about their homeland and teaches them the Kurdish language," said Dr. Michael. He added that Bulgarian Kurds are also from Iran, Turkey, and Syria.