site.btaForeign Minister Zaharieva, PM Borissov Confer with Visiting Greek Foreign Minister Dendias

September 11 (BTA) - Energy projects and the European
perspective of the Western Balkans figured on the agenda of
Wednesday' talks here between Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister
and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva and Greek Foreign
Minister Nikolaos Dendias.

"Bulgarian-Greek relations are at a strategic level and set an
example of how history can be our teacher rather than our
prison," Zaharieva told journalists, emerging from the session
with her counterpart.

She noted that the sides share close positions regarding the
next EU budget, migration, and the European perspective of the
Western Balkan countries.

The chief Bulgarian diplomat recalled that next year the two
countries will celebrate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic
relations, and the occasion can be marked by organizing Days of
Greece in Bulgaria and Days of Bulgaria in Greece, as well as by
 holding a joint meeting of the two governments.

Zaharieva noted that two-way trade is growing annually and
reached 3.3 billion euro for 2018. Tourist exchanges are making
fine progress, too.

The two ministers also discussed energy matters: the
Bulgaria-Greece gas interconnector project and the LNG terminal
at Alexandroupolis.

"We are one of the major investors in Bulgaria and we always
encourage Greek investors to come and invest in your friendly
country, while at the same time, we invite Bulgarian potential
investors in Greece," Dendias pointed out.

He said that Greece and Bulgaria are "close partners, allies and
 friends." "Today we play a key role in our region's stability
and development and we spare no effort in contributing to our
neighbours' European path," the guest added.

"Greece is a pillar of stability and cooperation in the Balkans
and has always been a supporter of the European Union's
Enlargement Policy. We encourage and support the European
perspective of the Western Balkan countries, on the condition
that they meet of course the set criteria and conditionality. In
 this context, and regarding the Republic of North Macedonia, we
 place particular importance to the full and consistent
implementation of the Prespa Agreement," Dendias said.

Conferring with the Greek Foreign Minister, Prime Minister
Borissov stressed the importance of stepping up the
implementation of the Bulgaria-Greece gas interconnector, which
is prioritized by this country, the Government Information
Service said. "This is crucial for diversification. We have
already made full arrangements for financing the interconnector
with a capacity for 3 to 5 billion cu m," the PM said further.

During the Borissov-Dendias talks, the sides declared their
desire to press ahead with the implementation of other
infrastructure and energy projects, too, in the interest of both
 countries.

The large potential of tourism, which Bulgaria and Greece have
been developing in recent years, was also stressed at the
meeting. Borissov noted the importance of the Struma Motorway
for Bulgaria's connectivity with its southern neighbour. RY/LG

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