UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on Thursday began a three-day visit to Bulgaria aimed at strengthening the partnership between the world body and the Balkan country, Xinhua reported.
"I am truly honored to be the first UN secretary-general to visit Bulgaria since the beginning of the country's transition to democracy," Ban told a joint press conference after talks with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.
Ban said they had constructive discussions on a wide range of issues including Western Balkans, the Middle East, climate change, corruption and organized crime.
He thanked the country for its efforts in regional cooperation and global security, adding that now Bulgaria shares experience with people from North Africa and the Middle East on its transition to democracy.
Later on Thursday, Ban met with Parliament Speaker Tsetska Tsacheva and delivered a speech at the Sofia University. On Friday he will meet with Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov.