Sofia, December 20 (BTA) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and President Rumen Radev conferred here on Monday with visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Mitsotakis is on his first visit to Bulgaria and is the first guest at the government level of the newly elected Bulgarian Prime Minister, the Government information service here said. The talks between Petkov and Mitsotakis at the Council of Ministers confirm the intensive political dialogue at the highest level between Bulgaria and Greece, and reflect the strategic and friendly nature of relations between the two countries.

Completing the gas interconnector between Greece and Bulgaria is a matter of months, it transpired from joint statement of the two prime ministers. They noted that this project, which is entering its final stage, is important for both sides and should be completed as soon as possible.

"It was a pleasure to talk about many important regional topics. Friendly relations will be strengthened, together we can achieve more, especially in energy, common infrastructure and regional stability in the Balkans," said Kiril Petkov.

"There are many opportunities for the development of energy systems," said Kyriakos Mitsotakis. "We have common views on many topics. From now on, Athens and Sofia begin a new phase of their co-operation," he added.

The strategic partnership between Bulgaria and Greece, which is key to stability in the region, has a number of important aspects. In the first place is cooperation between the EU and NATO in view of the current challenges. It is equally important to intensify bilateral cooperation in the field of regional initiatives in order to strengthen security and stability in the region of Southeast Europe, said the Bulgarian government's information service.

Bulgaria and Greece work together on the implementation of energy and infrastructure projects of mutual interest and on the implementation of cross-border projects under EU programmes. The creation of favorable conditions for the growth of trade and tourist flow are also an important element of bilateral relations. According to data from the Bulgarian National Bank, foreign direct investments from Greece in Bulgaria as of December this year amounted to 2.57 billion euro. Last but not least, the expansion of cooperation in the field of education and culture has traditionally been on the agenda of the bilateral dialogue between Bulgaria and Greece.

Mitsotakis said his country has always provided leverage for the whole region's progress on its path towards joining the EU. Greece supports the candidate countries, which must fulfill the criteria for EU membership, which include goodneighbourliness, above all, the Greek Prime Minister noted after his meeting with Petkov, commenting the EU integration of countries in the Western Balkans.

"In times of growing challenges, a just path of the Western Balkans towards the EU would benefit all of us," Mitsotakis said, adding that this would bring economic, political and security benefits. He stressed, however, that the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania must fulfil all criteria, including those pertaining to goodneighbourliness.

The visiting Greek Prime Minister expressed support for the newly elected Bulgarian Government and invited Petkov and his ministers to a joint meeting between the two governments in Athens. In turn, Petkov accepted the invitation and confirmed that the two countries' cabinets will have such a joint meeting in January of next year.

Answering a question, Mitsotakis said that Greece will strive to fully normalize relations between the EU and Turkey. Both Greece and Bulgaria have been called upon to protect their borders on a daily basis, which are also the EU's borders. Both countries are managing with this task effectively, while fully observing human rights, the Greek Prime Minister said. Kiril Petkov stressed that goodneighbourliness is the most important thing that can be achieved jointly in the region.

President Radev and Prime Minister Mitsotakis have discussed the encouragement of energy, transport and economic connectivity between the two countries, Radev's press secretariat reported. The two have welcomed the restoration and further development of the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and Greece, which they described as being of key importance not only for bilateral relations, but also for the stability of the Southeast Europe region.

Accelerating the construction of the intersystem gas interconnector between Bulgaria and Greece is a priority for both sides, it transpired from Radev's meeting with Mitsotakis. Another positive effect on energy diversification is the launching of the Alexandroupolis LNG gas terminal, which is expected to happen in 2023. Bulgaria has a 20 per cent stake in the share capital of the company that will build and manage it, it transpired from the discussion.

Improving transport connectivity, including through the opening of new border crossings, will contribute to increasing bilateral trade and tourism, the two noted during their meeting.

President Radev called for including the Treaty on Friendship, Goodneighbourliness and Cooperation which Sofia and Skopje signed in 2017, as well as the Treaty of Prespa, signed between Athens and Skopje, to be included in the Republic of North Macedonia's EU accession negotiations framework. Radev and Mitsotakis have agreed that the Republic of North Macedonia's European integration is in the interest of the whole region, but the process should be tied to observing European values and the commitments made in the bilateral agreements.

Radev said that Greece and Bulgaria are proof that strategic partnership relations, open dialogue and European cooperation can exist in this region, which is ridden with history and challenges.

The Bulgarian President noted that the two countries share an important responsibility for the stability and security of the region and their neighbours' European perspective.

The Bulgarian head of State further said that the Greek Prime Minister's visit came shortly after the new regular Bulgarian Government was formed, which is a clear sign of the friendly and open relations between the two countries. Radev expressed his conviction that the visiting Greek delegation's talks with the new Bulgarian Government will give a strong impetus to the development of bilateral relations and the implementation of important bilateral projects that are of significance for the whole region.

The Greek Prime Minister said he is happy to be the first European state or government leader to visit Bulgaria after the elections. The political stability in a friendly and neighbouring country is of huge significance for Greece, Mitsotakis said. DT,MY