site.btaBulgarian Prime Minister Borissov Visits Moscow, Confers with Putin, Medvedev

Moscow, May 30 (BTA Special Correspondent Antoan Nikolov) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who is paying a two-day visit to Russia, conferred here on Wednesday with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and with President Vladimir Putin.

Putin expressed the hope that Borissov's visit would contribute to the promotion of economic, political, cultural and spiritual contacts. Speaking during the part of the meeting that was open to the media, the Russian head of State said he was glad that the Bulgarian Prime Minister accepted an invitation to come to Moscow after such a long break. Putin recalled that he recently conferred with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev.

The Russian President stressed the recent observances of the 140th anniversary of the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation and the Day of Slav Letters and Culture, which closely link the two peoples.

The guest thanked for the opportunity to visit the Kremlin after so many years. He noted that this is his third meeting with Putin, after the ones in Gdansk and Sofia. Borissov stressed that the two have "exchanged thoughts" during that period. In his words, progress can now be made on some of the subjects, and the situation in the world and in the Western Balkans can be considered.

Borissov and Putin previously met in Gdansk in September 2009 and in Sofia in November 2010.

The Bulgarian head of government added that Russia has always been very influential with people, including in religious terms. In his opinion, it is a good idea to familiarize the Russian side with everything that is being done for the development of infrastructure, motorway and gas-infrastructure construction.

Borissov noted that Bulgaria is working well with the Russian services in security and counter-terrorism. He called for stronger contacts in tourism and agriculture. These matters will be on the agenda of his talks with Putin.

The PM wished Russia success in organizing the FIFA World Cup.

Earlier in the day, the two countries' prime ministers discussed the deepening of bilateral trade, economic, energy, tourism and transport relations.

Medvedev stressed that the two countries have been invigorating their partnership in recent years. "We can now address particular parameters of our trade and economic cooperation," the Russian head of government said.

Borissov pointed out that counter-terrorism and security, the economy, tourism and energy remain priority topics in Bulgarian-Russian relations. "The world is indeed a harrowing place with unending conflicts. We in Europe are suffering a lot from the migrant wave," the guest added.

The Prime Minister's official delegation in Moscow includes Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev, Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov, Culture Minister Boil Banov, Energy Minister Temenouzhka Petkova and Tourism Minister Nikolina Angelkova.