Nickolay Mladenov: Our relations with Russia should not be limited to the energy issues only.
02 June 2011 News
Relations between Bulgaria and Russia should not be limited to discussions on energy issues only. They are based on the traditionally good relations between the two nations and deserve more extensive dialogue. That was the main message expressed by Minister Nickolay Mladenov in his meeting with the Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov. Minister Mladenov believes that such dialogue will have influence over relations between EU and Russia, NATO and Russia, the Balkans and the Black Sea region.
During their conversation the ministers discussed the opportunities for economic cooperation, as the Russian side promised to consider the Bulgarian request for an increase in flights from Moscow to Varna and Burgas from 14 to 21 weekly. Common was the desire to continue negotiations on arms licenses. In reply to the questions raised by the hosts about Russian energy projects, Minister Mladenov pointed out that they are being considered in the context of diversification of both routes and sources of energy supply. As for Belene Nuclear Power Plant, he emphasized the necessity for improving security measures, economic justification of the project, attraction of foreign investments, as well as the necessity to meet the requirements for financing by foreign commercial banks.
Mladenov outlined Bulgarian policy of support for the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans. He called for an immediate cease of violence in Syria and for observance of the commitments made by the Syrian leaders for rapid reforms through policy dialogue with the opposition. The Bulgarian Foreign Minister appealed to his Russian hosts for providing easier access of experts to the Bulgarian archives, exported after World War II from the former USSR. He suggested a series of prepared in advance bilateral agreements to be signed during the upcoming visit of Sergey Lavrov in Sofia.
On the first day of his visit Nickolay Mladenov met with representatives of NGOs in the Moscow Carnegie Center where he discussed the political situation in both countries and the human rights situation in Russia. He then delivered a lecture at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. The programme of the Bulgarian delegation in Moscow includes also meetings with the President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian Duma Mr. Konstantin Kosachev and with the management of the Group for Friendship with Bulgaria.