President Ilyana Yotova met Egyptian prime minister Mostafa Madbouly in New York, where the 81st session of the UN General Assembly is under way, the president's press office says.

The two talked about how Bulgaria and Egypt can build closer ties in several areas and noted that political contacts between the two countries are going well.

Yotova again invited Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to visit Bulgaria — an invitation that has stood open for some time. Madbouly said Bulgaria holds an important place in relations between Egypt and the European Union.

Yotova said that with fuel supplies now at risk, this is a good moment for the two countries to work together on energy projects. She added that raw materials from Egypt help Bulgaria's military production.

They also discussed tourism, and both agreed a direct flight between Sofia and Cairo should be launched.

"Many Egyptians have studied at universities in Bulgaria, and they are a natural bridge between our two peoples," Yotova said.

She added that Egypt plays an important role in resolving conflicts in the Middle East.