30.05.2018
The topics of the Western Balkans, the fight against terrorism, and the situation in Syria were among the highlights in the talks between Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.
The Bulgarian Prime Minister noted that this is the third meeting between the two and pointed out that their countries can now also cooperate on the topic of the "Western Balkans". He informed Vladimir Putin about the priorities of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council and in particular with connectivity projects in the region - the construction of infrastructure, transport and digital connectivity. "Russia has always had its influence in Europe and hence it is good that you know what projects we are implementing. In the field of security and the fight against terrorism, we work very well with your services, our cooperation is also good in the field of tourism and agriculture,” the Bulgarian Prime Minister said.
The two also discussed the opportunities for enhancing cooperation in the security field at both European and bilateral levels. Prime Minister Borissov pointed out that efforts should be targeted primarily at prevention of terrorism - by combating radicalization and violent extremism.
"I hope this meeting will create good conditions for the development of our relations," said Russian President Vladimir Putin. He pointed out that this could be done in the fields of the economy, culture and spiritual ties. As an example, the Russian President mentioned the celebration of the 140th anniversary of the Russian-Turkish War of Liberation, as well as the Day of Bulgarian Culture, Education and the Cyrillic Alphabet. Vladimir Putin welcomed Prime Minister Borissov and said he was delighted that Borissov accepted the invitation to visit Moscow.
The bilateral meeting was attended by the following members of the Bulgarian delegation - Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Dontchev and Minister of Energy Temenuzhka Petkova; on the Russian side the attendees included the Foreign Policy Assistant to Russian President Yuri Ushakov, the Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Grusko.
Later, Russian President Putin will give an official lunch in honor of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. The lunch will be attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Dontchev, the Minister of Finance Vladislav Goranov, the Minister of Culture Boil Banov, the Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova, and the Minister of Tourism Nikolina Angelkova. On the Russian side, the following will attend: the first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Ministers of Industry and Trade, Energy, Culture, as well as the head of the Federal Tourist Agency, the Chairman of the Gazprom Managment Board, and the President of Lukoil.
