Sofia, Bulgaria – H E Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, received the Badge of Honour of the President of Bulgaria on Friday in recognition of Oman’s key humanitarian and diplomatic efforts.

The award was conferred by Rumen Radev, Bulgarian President, for H E Sayyid Badr’s crucial  role in securing the release of Bulgarian crew members from the hijacked Galaxy Leader vessel and for Oman’s broader contributions to regional peace and stability.

The honour was presented during H E Sayyid Badr’s official visit to Bulgaria, which included high-level talks and a joint press conference with his Bulgarian counterpart Georgi Georgiev.

In their address to the media following political discussions held in Sofia, both ministers underscored the strength and depth of bilateral ties between Oman and Bulgaria.

Georgiev expressed Bulgaria’s “deep appreciation” for Oman’s humanitarian intervention instrumental in the release of the detained Bulgarian sailors and highlighted Muscat’s ongoing diplomatic efforts in conflict zones. He affirmed that Bulgaria remains committed to further enhancing cooperation with Oman across several sectors.

H E Sayyid Badr stated, “The relations between our two nations is anchored in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for peace and prosperity. We look forward to translating this into concrete partnerships.”

The ministers announced plans to intensify cooperation through regular political consultations and broaden bilateral engagements to include economy, energy, renewable energy, education, technology, artificial intelligence, culture, logistics, health, tourism, and direct air connectivity between Muscat and Sofia.

The discussions included establishment of permanent embassies in the two countries to facilitate communication and promote joint investment initiatives.

A key outcome of the meeting was signing of a memorandum of understanding in the energy sector aimed at boosting collaboration in oil, gas and sustainable energy projects, including wind, solar and green hydrogen.

On the international front, both ministers reaffirmed the importance of diplomacy, dialogue and multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges. They stressed the need for peaceful resolution to conflicts and reiterated their countries’ commitment to international justice and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

According to a Foreign Ministry statement, the visit marked a significant milestone in Oman-Bulgaria relations, reflecting the growing importance of Oman’s diplomatic outreach in Europe.