site.btaRegional Development Minister Tsekov, US Ambassador Merten Discuss Broadening Partnership in All Areas of Shared Interest

Bulgarian Regional Development and Public Works Minister Andrei Tsekov met here on Friday with US Ambassador in Sofia Kenneth Merten, Tsekov's Ministry said in a press release.

"The US is our key and strategic partner in both defence and economic relations," Tsekov said at the meeting.

The two discussed options for broadening bilateral partnership in investment projects, public works, regional development and infrastructure policies in Bulgaria.

The Minister presented to the diplomat highlights of his Ministry's road infrastructure policies. He briefed the Ambassador on the major infrastructure projects that are under implementation: the Hemus, Struma and Europa motorways and the Russe - Veliko Tarnovo - Makaza express road. Work on them must continue at an accelerated pace because they are an important prerequisite for Bulgarian economic development and will contribute to an expansion of infrastructure links with neighbouring countries.

Building new bridges over the River Danube is key to the region, it emerged during the conversation. The construction of a Dupnitsa-Gyueshevo Motorway in the west-east direction and of a Black Sea Motorway in the north-south direction is important for Bulgaria's transport connectivity.

Tsekov added that the completion of these projects requires hard work for which Bulgarian professionals could tap the experience of their American counterparts in the field of infrastructure. "For the implementation of the Government's investment programme, we will rely on the assistance of the US for identifying mechanisms through which we could benefit from American technological capacity," the Regional Development Minister added.

Ambassador Merten congratulated Tsekov on the ambitious goals he sets to himself and expressed readiness for the search of ways for partnership between the two countries in a number of fields.