I am very pleased with the honor I have received and truly feel a deep satisfaction for personal, official, and professional reasons.

Even before the establishment of the GBCCI (German-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry), as the deputy chairman of the BCCI (Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry), responsible for German-speaking countries and especially Germany, I made intensive efforts to develop relations between companies in both countries.

In cooperation with DIHK (Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer), meetings were organized in various cities in Germany to present investment opportunities in Bulgaria. 
After the establishment of the GBCCI, all meetings were jointly organized, with Mitko Vassilev and myself always serving as the main lecturers.

It was not always easy to present the specific stage of development before Bulgaria's entry into the EU.

I remember how with Mitko Vassilev and Torsten Klette (DIHK) we traveled by bus to at least two or three cities to present the ever-improving business conditions in Bulgaria to German businessmen. The interest then seemed quite significant. 

Mitko Vassilev always came up with memorable slogans that aroused interest in Bulgaria, and I tried to constantly point out the evolving legal-economic framework on the path to harmonizing conditions.

We were all satisfied, often in the presence of the then-chairman of the BCCI, Bozhidar Bozhinov, and the current one, Tsvetan Simeonov.

I have a dear memory of my first working lunch at the invitation of Mr. Martin Wansleben, as well as the always good reception from him and the other German participants.

 Helge Tolksdorf from the Ministry of Economy, who speaks Bulgarian, was also very active.

After 6-7 years of active negotiations, an agreement was signed between the BCCI and DIHK formalizing the cooperation.

As a result, the BCCI hosted two international projects financed by DIHK, excellently led by Eduard Schwartz.

A warm memory for me is the surprising interest of Mr. Wansleben in the then project for a calendar of PMP (Penkov, Markov, and Partners). He liked the shown nature, traditions, and art. This accelerated his visit to Bulgaria, and he made a quick decision despite his busy schedule.

Along with everything, I was greatly impressed by his humanity and enthusiasm.
Mitko Vassilev, along with Mr. Wansleben, really are a great driving force of the bilateral relations.

Apart from supporting all these initiatives, my personal commitment to the development of relations is expressed in my active work as co-chair of the working group 'Small and Medium Enterprises and Trade' at the German-Bulgarian 'Coordination Council', many years after my resignation as deputy chairman of the BCCI.

With this in mind, I must express my gratitude for the trust, not only of the BCCI but also of the Chamber of Commerce, who have always also proposed me for this position through the deputy chairman Georgi Shivarov.

I also thank for the respectful attitude and friendly working atmosphere with the German partners.

A lasting, very warm memory for me will be the surprising visit of Mr. Wansleben, Mitko Vassilev, and the entire delegation to the PMP office, as well as the conversations during the working lunch in our large meeting room, twelve years after my withdrawal from the BCCI.

Of course, I continue to support the work of the mixed chamber, including through presentations to businessmen, the last from Nord Rhein-Westfalen in 2019.

I am pleased that the prestigious Noerr contacted me for participation with an article in ZASA (Zeitschrift für das Recht der Außenwirtschaft, Sanktionen und Auslandsinvestitionen). The article, dedicated to the new investment opportunities in Bulgaria, has been published very recently and I think it will arouse the interest of German business.

That is why I am so pleased and feel deep satisfaction from the distinction.

It motivates me to continue…