site.btaForeign Minister Confers with Italy's Ambassador

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova on Tuesday received the Italian Ambassador in Sofia Marcello Apicella, Petrova's Ministry said in a press release.

The two acknowledged the excellent dynamics of the political dialogue between Bulgaria and Italy at the highest level and the fruitful cooperation between the two countries both bilaterally and within the framework of the European Union and NATO.

Petrova said that hosting the start and the first three stages of one of the world's most prestigious sports competitions, Giro d'Italia 2026, was a landmark event for Bulgaria. In her words, the holding of the race in this country is further proof of the strong ties between Sofia and Rome in all spheres of public life.

Bulgaria's chief diplomat also stressed the importance of transport and energy connectivity as top priority for her country. In this context, Petrova highlighted the strategic role of Crete Corridor No. VIII and expects closer cooperation with the Italian side for the implementation of the project. It was also noted that, once in place, the corridor will contribute to the development of European and regional infrastructure connectivity and to strengthening EU geostrategic autonomy.

Crete Corridor No. VIII runs from the Albanian Adriatic port of Durres and across Tirana, Skopje, Gyueshevo (Southwestern Bulgaria, on the border with North Macedonia), Sofia, Pernik, Kyustendil and the Black Sea ports of Burgas (Southeastern Bulgaria) and Varna (Northeastern Bulgaria). The idea is to move the transit cargo traffic from the Western Mediterranean through the Italian port of Brindisi to the CIS countries, Caucasia and, across Turkiye, to the Middle East and Southwest Asia.

Cooperation in trade, investments and defence, as well as an invigoration of exchanges in culture, education and high technology, were also on the agenda.