In Sofia on 4 November, Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev met Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef Al Saud, marking the first visit by a Saudi official of such rank to Bulgaria, and the two announced plans to intensify cooperation in security and internal affairs.
The ministers discussed tackling international drug trafficking, cross‑border organized crime, counter‑terrorism, cybercrime, money laundering and corruption. They also agreed to deepen collaboration within the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC), in which Saudi Arabia participates as an operational partner, and to expand professional exchanges and specialized training.
Our common task is to turn political trust into practical cooperation that delivers tangible results for the security of citizens in both countries.
Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said this in statement released by the Bulgarian Interior Ministry.
The Saudi Minister said that mutual trust had been established and that Bulgaria was a reliable partner in all areas of shared interest, including security and internal affairs.
Demerdzhiev highlighted Bulgaria’s strategic importance as a country on the European Union’s external border and a key partner in tackling criminal networks linking Europe and the Middle East. He added that Bulgaria is ready to be a reliable partner and a bridge to closer security cooperation between Europe and the Middle East.
The meeting pledged concrete joint initiatives, clear priorities, and permanent channels of cooperation to build on the foundations of trust already established between the two countries.
