As Mr Putin was talking to members of the Bulgarian Parliament, he said that Russia was ready for teamwork to strengthen the stability of the Balkans—a strategically crucial region.
Bulgaria is on the European border with Asia, and a huge amount depends on its policy—in particular, peace and stability in Europe, he said.
A new stage of Russian-Bulgarian relations was starting. It promised vast opportunities to develop all-round bilateral contacts, the President said as he stressed the great role of legislatures in the promotion of inter-state contacts. He expressed his hope that the upcoming visit of a representative delegation of the National Assembly of Bulgaria to Russia would raise the parliamentary dialogue to an ever higher level.
See also
State Visit to Bulgaria
March 1 − 3, 2003