Council delegation visits Bulgaria
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Mrs Kina Dyakova, Councillor Gerald Mallon, Cara Patterson, Mr Dencho Boyadzhiev, Mayor of Razgrad, Councillor Robert Turner, Mr Des Mitchell, Councillor Charles Rollston, Mrs Petya Stefanova, and Mr Lyubomir Tsonev, deputy Mayor of Razgrad. SG3912
A COUNCIL delegation travelled to Razgrad in Bulgaria at the end of July, as part of the formal links which were established between the council and Razgrad municipality over 10 years ago.
The timing of the event was to fulfil an invitation from the town to its three-day yoghurt festival and follows an earlier visit of the Mayor of Razgrad and his colleagues to Armagh.
The trip also included signing a new co-operation agreement between both councils and exploring matters of mutual interest.
Over the years, the two councils have developed the relationship, and several successful initiatives have been implemented. Fundraising by Armagh people for the local Razgrad Orphanage was also a constant feature of the link.
In addition to signing the new co-operation agreement, the municipality had prepared a comprehensive programme of activities for the Armagh Council delegation.
These included information exchange, experience of the major yoghurt festival, visits to key visitor attractions, meeting with the new Director of the Orphanage and a tour of the facility, and a visit to a developing farm and an associated small cheese making factory.
The signing of the agreement was regarded by the municipality as a very important event and took place in the City Hall with the Mayor, his deputy and the chairman of the Razgrad town council and media present.
For some of the delegation, it was the first occasion to see the new orphanage and meet the children and staff.
They found the trip to be a very valuable visit and several key ideas emerging from the visit will be explored over the next few months.
