site.btaPrime Minister of Montenegro Markovic Pays Visit to Sofia

February 28 (BTA) - During a meeting with Prime Minister
of Montenegro Dusko Markovic, who is paying a visit to Sofia on
Friday, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, said, quoted by the
government's information service, that Bulgaria highly
appreciates the intensification of the relations with
Montenegro.

The participants in the meeting noted the potential for
expansion of the bilateral ties in the economy, investment,
tourism and energy.

Borissov noted that Bulgaria considers as extremely promising
the proposals for use of the underwater power line connecting
Montenegro and Italy, and also possible participation of the
countries in the region in the project for the Belene nuclear
power plant.

The European integration of Montenegro was at the focus of the
meeting of the two prime ministers. Borissov said that
Montenegro's effort and progress along the path to EU
integration are an example in the region.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Borissov, Markovic
thanked him and the government and the people of Bulgaria for
the support to Montenegro in the realization of the country's
key foreign policy and national interests, above all the
integration in NATO and the EU.

The guest noted that Bulgaria rendered solid support to
Montenegro, offered its expertise and at the same time believed
in Montenegro's potential "when this was not easy".

Borissov reiterated Bulgaria's full support to Montenegro in the
 negotiations process and noted the good cooperation between the
 two countries in the area of defence.

Marcovic said that tourism, energy and farming are among the
areas for good bilateral economic cooperation. Chartered flights
 will be introduced between Istanbul, Sofia and Podgorica, which
 is done at Bulgaria's initiative. Also, there will be chartered
 flights between Varna and Tivat during the summer tourist
season. Borissov said that the ministers of transport of
Bulgaria and Montenegro have held talks on the issue with their
counterpart in Turkey. The Bulgarian Prime Minister noted that
all three countries stand to gain from this initiative.

Borissov also said that Montenegro wants to participate as a
minority shareholder in Bulgaria's nuclear power generation
facilities.

Marcovic said he invited Borissov to visit Montenegro. RY/ZH