site.btaBulgaria, Pakistan Sign Maritime Cooperation Memo

On behalf of their respective countries, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Transport and Communications Minister Hristo Aleksiev and Pakistani Ambassador in Sofia Mariam Aftab signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Cooperation here on Monday.

This is the first bilateral document in the sphere of transport, Aleksiev said. He described the signing of the memorandum as yet another step building good relations between Bulgaria and Pakistan.

"The Memorandum will result in better transport cooperation, improved customs and port services and trade in maritime transport. This document will make possible better working conditions for the crews of Pakistani- or Bulgarian-flagged merchant ships. Therefore, this is a useful step which we should build on," he added.

"Maritime transport is an exceedingly important part of trade and economic cooperation, and I hope that this agreement will provide a useful framework and impetus to expand and deepen cooperation in this important field for both countries," Ambassador Aftab said. She thanked the Transport Minister and his team for the support and cooperation in the process of signing the understanding. "I am looking forward to working together in future," the diplomat added.