site.btaBurgas and Edirne Consider Building Industrial Zones Together

The Bulgarian city of Burgas and the Turkish city of Edirne are considering a joint project to build industrial zones in view of boosting economic investments. The governments of Burgas Region and Edirne Province plan to sign an agreement based on the Edirne Platform for Cooperation of Balkan Cities. This transpired after a delegation led by Burgas Regional Governor Maria Neikova paid a two-day visit to Edirne at the invitation of the governors of Edirne and Kirklareli, the regional administration of Burgas said in a press release on Friday.

The visiting delegation comprised mayors and other officials of the municipalities of Burgas, Malko Tarnovo, Tsarevo, Kameno, Sungurlare and Ruen, and members of the academic community in Burgas. They were accompanied by the Bulgarian Consul General in Edirne and the Turkish Consul General in Burgas.

The sides discussed proposals for bilateral cooperation. Neikova said: "All necessary conditions for intensive bilateral cooperation exist on both sides, and excellent opportunities are in place to expand it mainly by concluding agreements for cross-border partnerships and by twinning municipalities with an aim to manage natural disasters and technological accidents, prevent and combat forest fires, and carry out afforestation, sporting, cultural and educational activities."

The border checkpoints of Malko Tarnovo and Derekoy should be expanded as a matter of priority, according to Neikova. The sides will build a joint centre for fish farming and processing. Bulgarian companies operating in the paper industry may set up manufacturing plants in Edirne.