Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov
13 november 2010
Transcript of the beginning of the conversation:
Georgi Parvanov (as translated): Mr Prime Minister, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to welcome you to Bulgaria once again. I'm very glad that the renewed relations between Bulgaria and Russia, launched during your presidency, continue, producing real results and opening new dimensions. I recall that at our meeting in Zagreb in 2007 we announced the South Stream concept, and I'm happy that today we have signed an agreement of cooperation to this end.
I am pleased that after a year of hesitation and the search for new parameters we have acquired the opportunity to start our work on these energy projects. Needless to say, the wonderful traditions of our relations allow us not to limit ourselves to energy projects, but to discuss a more extensive agenda. Thank you.
Vladimir Putin: Mr President, I'd like to thank you for finding the time for our conversation. I am very pleased to be in Bulgaria again. I remember the warm receptions accorded to us here during my official visits. Indeed, today we have conducted thorough, meaningful and productive negotiations that were crowned with the signing of two major documents by the companies involved. Practically, they can now launch the work on the South Stream's Bulgarian section. Naturally, we discussed other areas of cooperation, such as the nuclear power industry, mechanical engineering, military-technical cooperation and transport. On the whole, we are pleased with the development of our relations – our trade is recovering at a fast pace despite its decline during the past year.