At the beginning of the meeting, the Russian President noted Bulgaria’s increasing role as a transit country involved in transporting energy to European consumers, including in light of the signing of the Burgas – Alexandroupolis oil pipeline agreement.
President Vladimir Putin expressed his belief that all necessary measures were being undertaken to resolve environmental problems associated with the construction of the pipeline.
Speaking about Russian-Bulgarian relations, Vladimir Putin noted that they are developing in all areas and that Russia will always contribute to their development.
In turn, Sergei Stanishev noted that Russian-Bulgarian relations have gained new momentum over the last year and a half. In particular, the Bulgarian Prime Minister cited the increase in trade, the fact that a Russian company won a tender to build a new nuclear power plant in Bulgaria, and the signing of a long-term agreement with Gazprom about delivering gas to and transporting gas through Bulgarian territory. He also noted the great significance of the Burgas – Alexandroupolis pipeline agreement signed in Athens.