VP Gibran, Bulgarian Deputy PM Discuss Stronger Ties

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesian Vice President (VP) Gibran Rakabuming met with Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry Alexander Poulev at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday, September 14, 2026. The Indonesian Vice Presidential Secretariat said the meeting served as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties between Indonesia and Bulgaria ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries on Sunday, September 20, 2026.

“Welcome to Indonesia. Welcome to Jakarta, Your Excellency. This visit is very special because it marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Bulgaria on September 20,” the vice president said, as he also extended his congratulations on Bulgaria’s Independence Day, which falls on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

Deputy Prime Minister Poulev affirmed Bulgaria’s readiness to participate in Indonesia’s economic development. He said the strong friendship and diplomatic ties between the two countries provided an important foundation for building closer economic partnerships.

“Bulgaria wants to participate in Indonesia’s economic development. Based on our economic studies, we estimate that over the next 10 years, Indonesia will become one of the four largest economies in the world,” Alexander Poulev said.

VP Gibran’s push to use the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations as a foundation for more concrete cooperation was reflected in several strategic sectors discussed during the meeting. Indonesian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Anis Matta said one of the opportunities explored during the meeting was to increase trade and investment by using Bulgaria’s position as a gateway for Indonesian products to the European Union market, including through cooperation in agro-industry and logistics.

“What we discussed in this meeting was exploring ways to increase strategic trade and investment. One of the sectors discussed in depth was agro-industry, followed by logistics. The key point is that Bulgaria wants to become a gateway for Indonesian products to the European Union and markets across Europe, which have a population of around 450 million,” Anis said after the meeting.

Gibran also encouraged the opportunities for cooperation to be followed up by strengthening the trade framework between Indonesia and the European Union. As Indonesian Vice Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti explained, Indonesia hopes to receive Bulgaria’s support for completing the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), while also exploring opportunities for cooperation in the food and technology-transfer sectors.

“Then, regarding the trade agreement, specifically the Indonesia-EU CEPA, we hope it can be ratified this year and take effect in early 2027, and we hope to receive Bulgaria’s support,” she said.

Meanwhile, the partnership encouraged by Gibran also covers the creative economy sector. Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar said opportunities for collaboration could be developed through meetings and exchanges between creative-economy players from the two countries, including by inviting a Bulgarian delegation to attend the World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE).

“In the creative economy sector, one of the things we discussed was inviting a delegation from Bulgaria to attend the World Conference on Creative Economy,” Irene said.