14.11.2019
The implementation of the key joint infrastructure and energy projects was among the highlights of the conversation between Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Greek Prime Minister Kiriakos Mitsotakis. The two heads of government talked before the start of the Fourth Thessaloniki Summit. "The accelerated implementation of the gas interconnector between Bulgaria and Greece is a priority not only for us but for the whole region. Just a few days ago I checked on the progress of building the connection activities of the interconnector, which was launched in May this year. In this way we will improve the energy security of the whole of South East Europe, "Prime Minister Boyko Borissov was certain. He noted that the implementation of transport projects such as the Burgas-Alexandroupolis railway, which is part of a larger project for a multimodal freight corridor connecting the Aegean and the Black Sea "Sea2Sea", will contribute to the economic development in the region.
"Our two countries are pillars of stability in the region and strong supporters of regional cooperation and European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkan countries." This common position was expressed during the meeting by Prime Minister Borissov and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis.
Boyko Borissov and Kiriakos Mitsotakis agreed that Bulgaria and Greece are strategic partners and in this context it is necessary to maintain a friendly and open dialogue in all areas of common interest. Bulgarian Prime Minister Borissov expressed his confidence that the active bilateral cooperation will continue with the new government of our southern neighbor and will preserve the common aspiration to deepen political and economic ties. "The relations between our countries becomes even more important in the context of the crises that surround us from the east and the south, as well as to the west of us, given the fragile stability of the Western Balkans," said the Bulgarian Prime Minister.
In the course of the conversation, the two heads of government noted the excellent bilateral relations in the sector of trade and economy. "Greece remains one of our leading trading partners, which is why we support any initiative to activate business relations," Prime Minister Borissov said, noting the upward trend in trade between Bulgaria and Greece in recent years. In the first half of this year, trade between the two countries increased by 14.8% compared to the same period last year and amounted to EUR 1.7 billion. During the meeting, Bulgarian Prime Minister Borissov put an emphasis on the need to further promote investment between Bulgaria and Greece. The conversation also highlighted the great potential in the area of tourism that the two countries have been developing in recent years, with Prime Minister Borissov underlining the importance of the Struma highway for the connectivity with our southern neighbor.
