On 20 December 2022, at the Hotel Intercontinental in Istanbul, Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, met with Mr. Vezhdi Rashidov, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria. The President of the Parliament was accompanied by Ms. Desislava Atanasova, Chairperson of the GERB-UDF Parliamentary Group, Mr. Petar Kanev, Head of the PABSEC Bulgarian Delegation, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Turkey Angel Tcholakov, Consul General of Bulgaria in Istanbul Mr. Vasil Valchev, and the Ms. Radka Petrova Head of the Secretariat of the President of the Parliament.

Mr. Vezhdi Rashidov, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, emphasized the growing strategic role of the Black Sea region for the European and world community, and also noted the importance of establishing lasting peace and stability in the region. The President of the Parliament also noted Bulgaria's interest in strengthening cooperation between the states of the Black Sea region in all spheres.

Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, emphasized the role of parliaments and their leaders in the difficult political situation in the region, and especially noted the role of the Bulgarian Parliament and the PABSEC Bulgarian delegation in strengthening partnerships between the countries of the Black Sea region. The Secretary General informed the President about the results of the PABSEC Belgrade General Assembly, which took place on 6-8 December 2022.

The meeting was also attended by Ms. Natia Gaprindashvili, Adviser to the PABSEC Secretary General - Press Secretary, and Ms. Pavlina Lozanova, Secretary of the PABSEC Legal and Political Affairs Committee.