by Lili Gospodinova
Dear Colleagues, partners and associates,
Before I come to the point, I would like to use this opportunity and wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR. May 2013 be a year of good health, prosperity, success, happiness and peace for all of us!
I can’t help saying to myself – 2012 was a blast for Eurolink Investment Group!!! Thank goodness we survived the End of the World, so I can make a resume of the past incredible year:
January, 2012
There is nothing better than starting a new business year with the gratitude and appreciation of clients and friends:
Dear Lili, Chris and all at Eurolink,
We enclose herewith our Christmas and New Year greetings and hope all well at your end.
We also wish to convey our big thanks to all at Eurolink in Varna. As always, it has been a pleasure dealing with you and we certainly look forward to visit you in 2012 in lovely Varna.
Jytte & Mogens
Jytte and Mogens at their house in General Kantardjievo, Bulgaria, together with their Danish friends the Thomsens – Anna and Kaj to the right
Another excellent beginning of 2012 was the grand birthday party of our Managing Director and C.E.O. Mr. Chris Violaris, celebrated on Jan 14th, at Captain Cook restaurant, with many friends, colleagues, associates and last, but not least – Bishop Cyril (presently the Interim Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church).
As Chris Violaris was prevented from attending a Christmas Concert organized at the village of Konstantinovo, where he was invited as the guest of honour (being the main contributor to the village), the Head of Cultural Club “Iskra” Mrs. Snezhana, decided to organize a separate concert on the day following his birthday, with the special performance of the newly named Ensemble VIOLARIS. BTW, he had no idea that the ensemble had been named after him, as it was kept a secret in order to surprise him in person. It was Sunday, 15th Jan, and you can only imagine how his heart was filled with joy and his face lighted by a smile when he saw the children all dressed up in their nice new costumes that he had bought for them.
Read more: https://eurolink-bulgaria.com/the-big-surprise-and-the-hearty-gratitude/
February, 2012
In February, we had our annual team-building and meetings with our major partner, member of the Qatar Ruling Family, at Sheraton Sofia Balkan Hotel, where we discussed future prospects of various multi-international projects, including procurement and construction, fashion and many other.
During our stay in Sofia, there were meetings of the Group’s top management and its Qatari partner with the Foreign Minister of Bulgaria Mr. Nikolay Mladenov. The meeting proceeded to other beneficial meetings, held later on, with the Bulgarian Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Mr. Ivaylo Moskovski.
Chris Violaris, CEO of Eurolink Investment Group, the Group’s Qatari partner, and Minister Nikolay Mladenov, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria
March, 2012
Further to the Ministry meetings and the instrumental assistance and encouragement provided by the Group, there were developments on the relations between Qatar and Bulgaria. H.E. the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani held a round of official talks with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov in the capital Sofia, Bulgaria. The session reviewed bilateral relations and means of enhancing and developing them in all fields, besides a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Prime Ministers of Qatar and Bulgaria, H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani and Boyko Borisov Photograph by: Sofia Photo Agency, Yuliana Nikolova
H.E. the Prime Minister and his Bulgarian counterpart witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two governments in agriculture, animal wealth and fisheries, another in the field of health, a cultural co-operation agreement, memorandums of understanding between Hassad Food Company and Gradus Ltd, between InvestBulgaria Agency and Qatari Diar Company, between the Bulgarian government and Qatar Mining Company and a MoU between the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, and Katara Hospitality.
Read more: https://eurolink-bulgaria.com/qatar-bulgaria-sign-deals/
Later in March, Eurolink also assisted its major partner with a cosmetics project, executed in Bulgaria. We were happy to find our Qatari partner satisfied with the results and successful outcome.
June, 2012
In 2012 “Choose Life” campaign continued helping youngsters in different ways. After the concert in January, came the Prom Season and more. Before proceeding further, I would like to mention recent achievements of the boys and girls of Ensemble VIOLARIS, which proudly glorified the name of their patron at the 5th Celebration of Folk Art “As Living Water”, held in May, 2012 in the town of Suvorovo, Bulgaria, by winning an individual 1st prize and a Special prize. Ensemble Violaris was also granted a Diploma for receiving the Special prize “The youngest participants”, category: Folklore dance group and ensemble.
The charitable campaign adopted 3 disadvantaged last year girls as well – Hristina, Nikoleta and Dida, who had successfully graduated their higher education. With the assistance of our colleague from the Legal Department, Nevin, the girls were dressed in beautiful gowns for the special night, when every girl dreams to look and feel like a princess.
Furthermore, initiated by Mrs. Assia Violaris and with the assistance of our Office Manager, Nelly and Mrs. Snezhana, an English Language Course was organized in the village of Konstantinovo. 35 children aged 8 to 18 years were eager to learn the language and enrolled in the class.
Read more: https://eurolink-bulgaria.com/more-of-choose-life-in-2012/
July, 2012
The 1st of July, 2012 was a great day for the People of Cyprus, the Cyprus Government and Eurolink. That was the day of the Assumption of the Presidency of the EU Council by the Republic of Cyprus. As a fully committed and active member state of the European Union Cyprus performed its role as President as good, if not better than any other member state has done up to now and practically and effectively contributed to the realization of the common policies.
Read address of Chris Violaris: https://eurolink-bulgaria.com/we-congratulate-the-republic-of-cyprus-for-the-assumption-of-the-presidency-of-the-eu-council/
New Life! It’s always nice to hear news like this… our Head of Legal Department and dear colleague Mira Atanasova became a mother. Her son Vasil was born on 18th July, 3 kilos 400 grams, healthy and handsome. Mummy and baby safe and sound at home J
August, 2012
And another New Life! The Group’s Financial Director and also dear colleague Miroslav Vladov became a father for the second time. His daughter Zoya was born on 8th Aug. So now we have 2 Eurolink babies in only one year… well done guys! Your contribution for the demographic growth is not bad at all. J Not to say, that our Deputy MD Alex Nikolov became an uncle later on, in September – how moving is that?!
September, 2012
This year, Eurolink Investment Group (EIG) celebrated the 52nd Anniversary since the Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, on Saturday, September 29th, 2012, in Varna. On this occasion a Reception was given by Chris Violaris, under the auspices of H.E. Mr. Stavros Amvrosiou, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Bulgaria. The event took place at the new EIG offices at Central Point Business Centre, located opposite the Varna City Hall. All present honoured the Cyprus National Holiday and the Assumption of the Presidency of the EU Council by the Republic of Cyprus.
Among the guests who paid homage to the hosts were H.E. Mr. Tserendorj Gankhuyag, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia, H.E. Mr. Miklós Pék, Charge d’Affaires a.i. Embassy of the Republic of Hungary, H.E. Muhammed Ali Said Al-Nuaimi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar in Bulgaria, Mr. Petar Dimitrov, Member of Parliament and Ex-Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism of Bulgaria and His Eminence Bishop of Varna and Veliki Preslav Dr.Cyril. The presence of the diplomatic and consular corpus in Varna was strong and included Mr. Hristo Hristov, Regional Mayor of the District of Mladost, Mr. Nedelcho Mihaylov, Regional Mayor of the District of Vladislav Varnenchik, Mr. Kostadin Kostadinov, Leader of Political Party VMRO in Varna, Mr. Nedyalko Nedelchev, Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic, Mr. Sarkiz Sarkizov, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia, and many others.
H.E. Mr. Amvrosiou with H.E. Mr. Temirtay Izbastin, Chargé d’Affaires a.i.Republic of Kazakhstan (on the left), H.E. Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Al-Madbuh, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the State of Palestine (in the middle) and H.E. Mr. Miklós PÉK, Charge d’Affaires a.i. Embassy of the Republic of Hungary
December, 2012
As last year, Eurolink made a donation to the stall of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus at the 18th Annual Charity Bazaar, held by the International Women Club (IWC) in INTER Expo & Congress Centre, Sofia, on Sunday, December 2nd, 2012.
The IWC Annual Bazaar is a very significant charity event, in which almost all countries of the globe participate, while the visitors exceed 3000 for the single day that it operates. All the proceeds from this Christmas Bazaar are distributed among a number of charity causes. The goal of everyone involved in this event is to meet as many as possible of the needs of institutions for the elderly, orphanages as well needs of disadvantaged families.
The Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria Mrs. Margarita Popova, H.E. the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. Veselin Valchev and Chris Violaris opened the bas-relief of the Bulgarian Apostle of Liberty Vasil Levski, on Dec 4th, in front of the Bulgarian Embassy in Nicosia. A donation campaign was initiated among the Bulgarian community on the island to raise the funds necessary for its construction. The sum of € 6,000.00 was collected and most of them (€ 5,000.00) were given by Chris Violaris.
Read more: https://eurolink-bulgaria.com/a-bas-relief-of-the-apostle-also-in-nicosia/
Read interview of Chris Violaris for Bulgarian News weekly: https://eurolink-bulgaria.com/chris-violaris-before-bulgarian-news-i-bow-down-before-levski-i-love-bulgaria/
On Dec 7th, Eurolink was the sponsor of a Cultural event at Sofia’s Modern Theatre, dedicated to the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council.
During the event, besides the speeches by the Ambassador of Cyprus in Sofia Stavros Amvrosiou, referring to the Turkish invasion and continuing occupation and the destruction of cultural heritage in the occupied areas of Cyprus, there were Byzantine chants and religious hymns from the choir of the Holy Archbishopric of Cyprus and Cypriot traditional dances from the band “Akrites Geri”. The event ended with a reception where traditional Cypriot dishes were offered.
The event was attended by the former Prime Minister of Bulgaria Mr. Simeon Sakskoburgotski, the Deputy Minister of Public Works, Mr. Dobromir Simidchiev, the former Minister of Justice Ms Daniela Masheva, Ambassadors of foreign diplomatic missions, officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, and other guests.
On the same day, the Embassy of the State of Qatar also held a Reception in their new Embassy premises in Sofia, at which Chris Violaris was invited as special Guest. The event was grand, with excellent food, and it was attended by many state officials and leading personalities of all sectors.
Naturally, the year was closed by a Company Christmas bash, on Dec 11th.
My general conclusion is – When I skip the busy business detail, 2012 finished the same way it started. Looking forward to an even more busy and successful 2013!!!