site.btaPrime Minister Borissov Confers with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European, Eurasian Affairs Yee

Sofia, July 24 (BTA) - Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has conferred here with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Hoyt Yee, Cabinet's Press Service reported on Monday.

The two have discussed the processes in the Western Balkans. Borissov stressed the importance of a European perspective for the countries in the region. He noted that the question of their EU accession will feature in the priorities of the Bulgarian EU Presidency in 2018.

Borissov also discussed with Hee the results of the Western Balkan Summit of the Berlin Process in Trieste. The Bulgarian Prime Minister stressed the inclusion of Corridor 8 in the Berlin Process as an opportunity to improve connectivity between the countries in the Western Balkans and the EU. The connecting infrastructure is important and will give a new perspective for the Balkans' development, he added.

Progress of the Bulgaria-Greece gas interconnector was also on the meeting's agenda. Borissov explained that this project is of key importance not only for Bulgaria and Greece, but for the whole region of Southeast Europe and the EU, and its implementation will achieve diversification of natural gas sources and supply routes from the South Gas Corridor. The two also discussed the development of the project for building the Balkan gas distribution hub.

Enhancing bilateral partnership between Bulgaria and the US in the interest of the two countries as allies was also discussed between Borissov and the US Deputy Assistant Secretary.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister stressed the importance of cooperation in the areas of security and defence for Bulgaria, noting the largest military exercise in Europe held on Bulgarian territory.

The meeting was also attended by deputy prime ministers Tomislav Donchev and Ekaterina Zaharieva.