site.btaGreece's New Democracy Party Leader Visits Sofia

Greece's New Democracy Party Leader Visits Sofia

Sofia, November 28 (BTA) - The leader of Greece's New Democracy party, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, talked with Bulgaria's President Rosen Plevneliev and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov during a visit to Sofia on Monday.

Plevneliev and Mitsotakis discussed current matters figuring on the EU agenda and the challenges facing Southeastern Europe, the President's Press Secretariat reported.

Plevneliev said the dynamic dialogue between Bulgaria and Greece has helped the two countries to have a strong leadership voice in the region's development and attain shared goals within the European Union.

He praised bilateral relations in tourism and expressed his conviction that the sector will continue to develop rapidly. Plevneliev and Mitsotakis concurred that the main areas of bilateral relations are energy, education and innovation.

Plevneliev told the visiting New Democracy officials that observing constitutional order and the rule of law is the only way to find a democratic solution to any crisis and restore public confidence in legitimate institutions. He noted that the transparency and accountability of government institutions and their closeness to the citizens are important when dealing with challenges. He encouraged Athens to adhere to the European solutions to existing problems. The only way to solve problems is to identify them and name them clearly, he said.

Plevneliev and Mitsotakis singled out public administration reforms and electronic governance as indisputable priorities for which both countries should make further efforts.

During Mitsotakis' meeting with Prime Minister Borissov, the host said Bulgaria values its good neighbourly relations and mutual understanding with Greece. He said these relations are essential for a region which needs stability and synchronized actions of national governments in addressing critical issues and pursuing economic objectives, the Bulgarian government press service reported.

Borissov and Mitsotakis considered measures to contain the migratory pressure on Europe, particularly on Bulgaria and Greece, which are part of the external EU border.

They expressed their shared view that regardless of the political situation in Bulgaria and Greece, the two countries should keep up their good political cooperation and develop their relations in such areas as the economy, agriculture, culture, internal and foreign affairs, transport and energy.