Prime Minister Boyko Borissov met the President of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiadis

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov met the President of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiadis on February 25.

The two leaders expressed concern about the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Europe. Boyko Borissov and Nikos Anastasiadis were adamant that excellent coordination was needed between the European institutions in order to respond adequately to the global challenge.

They discussed the Bulgarian-Cypriot relations. The expansion of political, economic and cultural contacts was noted in the context of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"The Republic of Cyprus remains an important trade and economic partner of Bulgaria and is among the leading investors in our country. We need to look for more opportunities to increase trade, Prime Minister Borisov said during the meeting. He also emphasized the expanding of the potential in the agriculture, tourism, energy, culture, education and science, shipping sectors.

The focus of the meeting between the Bulgarian Prime Minister and the President of Cyprus was also the cooperation in the area of energy. Borissov said the construction of the Greece-Bulgaria gas connection is crucial as an input structure for gas imports from alternative sources for the entire region of Southeast Europe. The interconnector will also allow gas to be imported from the LNG terminal on the northern Greek coast and the planned Eastern Mediterranean gas pipeline.

"In this context, the energy partnership on the Israel-Cyprus-Greece axis is strategic," Prime Minister Borissov added to Cyprus President Anastasiadis.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister said that our country supports the signed agreement between Israel, Cyprus and Greece on the construction of the EastMed gas pipeline. "This energy project is of great geopolitical importance for the development of the region and Europe," Prime Minister Borissov added.

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiadis also discussed topics from the European agenda, including migration, the EU enlargement and the Western Balkans, the Multiannual Financial Framework and climate change.