site.btaPresidents Radev and Aliyev Discuss Air Service between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan

Sofia, January 9 (BTA) - Presidents Rumen Radev of Bulgaria and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan have talked by telephone about the forthcoming establishment of a direct air service between Sofia and Baku, Radev's press secretariat said on Tuesday. The air service was agreed during President Radev's official visit to Azerbaijan in October.

During the telephone conversation, he thanked his Azeri counterpart for the efforts made and the political will shown for the prompt establishment of a direct air service between the two capitals. Radev and Aliyev expressed their shared conviction that the service will bring economic benefits for their countries, will develop bilateral tourist and business ties, and will promote bilateral cooperation.

The presidents also discussed the possibility for Azeri companies to help gasify Bulgarian households. Aliyev had expressed Azerbaijan's interest in such an undertaking back in October, given the low household gasification level in Bulgaria. Radev now said: "We are working for it and we look forward to welcoming experts from your country so we can discuss the matter at the expert level."

Radev reiterated Bulgaria's support for the construction of the Southern Gas Corridor, a project in which Azerbaijan is playing a key role. "The project is important not only to Bulgaria but also for energy diversification in Europe," he noted.