Regional Development and Public Works Minister Valentin Tserovski Meets with Greek Development Minister Akis Tsokhatzopoulos

Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Valentin Tserovski met with his Greek counterpart Apostolos-Athanasios Tsokhatzopoulos in Thessaloniki during a business forum on the utilization of funds under the EU programmes PHARE, ISPA and SAPARD in Bulgaria. Over 50 Bulgarian companies and more than 500 Greek business representatives attended the business forum. At the meeting that lasted for two hours, the two sides discussed various aspects of Bulgarian-Greek trade and economic relations and the possibilities for their development. Special attention was paid to issues related to cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria and Greece and the utilization of the pre-accession funds. The two ministers noted with satisfaction the existence of good coordination in the implementation of projects and a common position before the European Commission in Brussels. The construction of the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline and the influence of the war in Iraq on the implementation of this project also featured on the agenda of talks. The two sides exchanged information on the steps taken within the project since the signing of the memorandum. Tserovski told his Greek counterpart about his upcoming visit to Moscow, and was in turn informed of Tsokhatzopoulos’ trip to Moscow in late April. After the exchange of vies and information, Tserovski and Tsokhatzopoulos expressed optimism about the future of the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis project. Tserovski also attended a meeting of Bulgarian business representatives with Mr Emanouil Vlahoyanis, Vice President of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Public Relations and International Activity Directorate