President Georgi Purvanov on Wednesday conferred the highest Bulgarian state honour, the Order of the Balkan Range, First Class, on outgoing Japanese Ambassador Koichiro Fukui for his outstanding role in promoting relations between the two countries.

Purvanov said the honour is a sign that Sofia is highly pleased with its relations with Tokyo. "Our two nations maintain intensive political dialogue which influences our relations in
all other fields and our efforts to invigorate economic contacts," Purvanov said.

He noted Japan's growing interest in Bulgaria as a tourist destination, saying that over 10,000 Japanese tourists visited this country last year.

Purvanov thanked Japan for being Bulgaria's largest financial donor and for its consistent effort to promote cultural relations with Bulgaria and provide training to Bulgarian students.

Ambassador Fukui said he accepts the honour as a recognition for all those who work to promote friendship between the two nations. He underscored the intensity of political dialogue at all levels, economic relations and cultural exchange.

Tokyo will continue to provide loans for various projects in Bulgaria, grants for cultural initiatives and support for local-level projects, he said.