site.btaBulgarian Prime Minister and Russian President Discuss Coronavirus, Energy and Syria Conflict by Telephone

March 12 (BTA) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov
and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the coronavirus
outbreak, the situation in Syria and energy projects during a
telephone conversation on Thursday, the Bulgarian government
press service reported.

Borissov enquired about the possibility for Bulgaria to buy
ventilators from Russia. This kind of device is extremely
important in the current battle against the novel coronavirus
COVID-19. It was noted during the conversation that Russian
scientists are working hard to develop a vaccine against the
infection.

The two leaders discussed the spread COVID-19. Borissov outlined
 the measures taken by his country to deal with the outbreak. He
 said: "Bulgarian industry was reorganized in a matter of days
to produce and supply the necessary protective clothing for the
medical teams across the country. We are applying all measures
approved by the international medical community to curb the
disease."

Discussing energy projects, Borissov updated Putin on the
progress in building the Balkan Stream natural gas pipeline,
which, he said, will cement Bulgaria's key role in gas
transportation in Europe for decades to come.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister said: "We have an interest in
continuing our cooperation with Russia in the field of natural
gas while strictly observing European rules in order to ensure
the security of gas supplies to Bulgaria and the region." He
welcomed the agreement between Gazprom Export and Bulgargaz to
cut the price of Russian gas for Bulgaria by 40.3 per cent
following a decision by the European Commission.

President Putin greeted Prime Minister Borissov on the occasion
of Bulgaria National Day, March 3. RY/VE