site.bta Sea Cruise Route to Connect Bourgas, Odessa

Sea Cruise Route to Connect Bourgas, Odessa

Bourgas, on the Black Sea, November 1 (BTA) - There is a carrier that will serve a Bourgas-Odessa cruise route that may also expand to Istanbul, Ukrainian Ambassador to Bulgaria Mykola Baltazhy said during a visit to the Black Sea town of Bourgas.

The Ambassador stressed Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic orientation and that his country counts on Bulgaria as partner, something evidenced also by bilateral commercial relations. Ukrainian investments in Bulgaria target mostly the energy and agricultural sectors but there are talks to set up joint ventures that will be domiciled in the Bourgas free trade zone.

The participation of Bulgarian contractors in infrastructure projects in Ukraine has been discussed with the Bulgarian Construction Chamber. New motorway projects are coming up in Ukraine with the participation of Bulgarian, Romanian and Ukrainian firms already agreed for the construction of the 220 km Odessa-Reni stretch. The concrete parameters for future cooperation will be worked out at an upcoming Ukrainian-Bulgarian business forum to be held in Bourgas next year.

Baltazhy also highlighted the growth in Ukrainian tourist arrivals to Bulgaria in the past year. However, the number of Bulgarians visiting Ukraine is flat with tourists avoiding the country in the last couple of years due to the armed conflicts in Crimea and Donbas. This is taking a toll on peaceful regions in Ukraine which could be potential tourist draws, the Ambassador said. To address this issue, special tourist routes will be marketed in Bulgaria.