site.btaBulgarian PM, Greek Foreign Minister Discuss Upgrading of Bilateral Relations

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov and Greece's Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis concurred that expanding bilateral cooperation between the two countries is more important than ever if they are to meet the regional and global challenges. They need to deepen synergies at the level of the EU, NATO and other major international organizations where Sofia and Athens support each other on many issues, the government information service said.

Gerapetritis is paying an official visit to Bulgaria on Tuesday.

Denkov thanked Greece for supporting Bulgaria's full Schengen membership and assured Gerapetritis that Sofia had been working hard and was looking forward to the time when Bulgarian individuals and companies will be able to travel free of border controls. "This moment should come as soon as possible and we count on your support to make it happen in the next few months," Denkov said. He also thanked Greece for its support for Bulgaria's accession to the euro area and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Improving the transport and energy infrastructure between the two countries was also high on the agenda. In this context, the officials discussed opportunities for cooperation within the framework of the Three Seas Initiative, whose projects contribute to economic growth and strengthening connectivity in the region.

Denkov and Gerapetritis concurred that the economic and cultural ties between the two peoples should continue with the same intensity as a basis for a sustainable partnership. Between 1.5 and 2 million Bulgarians visit Greece every year and approximately the same number of Greeks visit Bulgaria. "We as politicians can and must promote the deepening of mutual trust and respect between the two nations," Denkov said. Two-way trade reached EUR 4.5 billion, increasing by EUR 1 billion in a year. Greek investments are present in a number of sectors in Bulgaria and are an integral part of Bulgaria's economy.

Ways to enhance the potential of bilateral relations in education, innovation and artificial intelligence were also a focus of the meeting.