The minister of culture Vejdi Rashidov met the ambassador of the United Kingdom in Bulgaria Steve Williams. During their discussion, the two expressed their satisfaction with the positive development of the cultural relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Williams congratulated minister Rashidov for his post in the Bulgarian government and for the election of Irina Bokova as the new President of UNESCO. He also presented the long schedule of the British council in Bulgaria and their intensive cultural activities.

Minister Rashidov thanked the ambassador for the support of British experts in the formation of cultural politics in Bulgaria during the pre-EU period and the active and varied co-operation between Bulgarian and British culture institutions.

The minister emphasized that the introduction of their respective cultures is integral in the development of the relations between the two countries, and expressed his hope that the British public will have a chance to acquaint itself with both the ancient and the modern Bulgarian culture. A vital step forward would be the opening of the new Bulgarian cultural institute in London in 2010, added minister Rashidov.