A Bulgarian delegation led by Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov is in Paris on Thursday for the 45th Session of the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie, reports the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

The foreign ministers of the member states of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) are taking part in the conference. They are expected to discuss and adopt the draft of the Declaration of the 19th Francophonie Summit, which will be held in Villers-Cotterêts, in the north of France, from October 4 to 5, and to make recommendations about OIF membership bids and OIF Charter changes.

The development of Bulgaria's relations with the OIF has put the country among the organization's reliable and leading partners in Central and Eastern Europe, the Foreign Ministry says on its website. Being consistent in its policy of supporting the Western Balkan countries, Bulgaria has backed the bids of Serbia and Kosovo to acquire the status of OIF associate states.

Sofia contributes to the development of Francophone cooperation in education and scientific research through the OIF programmes for secondary education and by interacting with the Association of Francophone Universities.