25.02.2020
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov met with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades. The two leaders expressed their concern regarding the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Europe. Boyko Borissov and Nicos Anastasiades were certain that excellent coordination was needed between the European institutions in order to respond adequately to the global challenge.
During the meeting between Borissov and Anastasiades, the beneficial Bulgarian-Cypriot relations were discussed. In the context of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the expansion of contacts in the political, economic and cultural spheres was noted.
"The Republic of Cyprus remains an important trade and economic partner for us and is among the leading investors in our country. We need to look for more opportunities to increase trade," Prime Minister Borissov said during the meeting. The Prime Minister also put an emphasis on expanding the potential in the sectors of agriculture, tourism, energy, culture, education and science, and shipping.
A focus of the meeting between the Bulgarian Prime Minister and the President of Cyprus was also the cooperation in the field of energy. Prime Minister Borisov stated that the construction of the Greece-Bulgaria gas interconnector is vital as an input structure for gas imports from alternative sources for the entire region of Southeast Europe. The interconnector will also allow gas to be imported from the LNG terminal on the northern Greek coastline and the planned Eastern Mediterranean gas pipeline. "In this context, the energy partnership on the Israel-Cyprus-Greece axis is strategic," Prime Minister Borissov added before the President of Cyprus Anastasiades.
During the meeting, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that our country supports the signed agreement between Israel, Cyprus and Greece on the construction of the EastMed gas pipeline. "This energy project is of a great geopolitical importance for the development of the region and Europe," Prime Minister Borissov added.
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades also discussed current European topics, including migration, the enlargement towards the Western Balkans, the Multiannual Financial Framework and climate change.
