110 POLITICS - FOREIGN MINISTER - GERMANY - VISIT

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Zaharieva
Confers in Berlin with
German Counterpart Gabriel


Berlin, May 31 (BTA) - Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva conferred in Berlin on Tuesday with German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Zaharieva's Ministry said in a press release.

"The Federal Republic of Germany has always been a strategic partner and friend of Bulgaria. Bilateral relations between our States are excellent," Zaharieva stressed. "I would like to thank Germany for supporting the judicial reform which we are carrying out not for the sake of Brussels and Berlin but for the sake of Bulgarian citizens. We will also be counting on interaction with Germany in connection with the forthcoming Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council," she said.

Gabriel noted the close contacts between Bulgaria and Germany, citing as an example the 7,000 Bulgarian students who attend universities in the Federal Republic and the 5,000 German entrepreneurs who pursue business in Bulgaria and facilitate the promotion of bilateral economic relations. The Vice Chancellor wished the third Boyko Borissov Cabinet success in pressing ahead with reforms in Bulgaria and declared Germany's readiness to continue its support.

Zaharieva singled out Bulgaria's contribution to the protection of the EU external borders. "Entry into the Schengen area will enable our country to be even more effective," the Deputy PM said, thanking Germany for the substantial assistance in coping with the migration pressure and for her country's inclusion in the EU Visa Information System.

The Foreign Minister pointed out that last year Bulgarian-German trade reached a record 6,600 million euro. She thanked Gabriel for the expert assistance that the Federal Republic will render to Bulgaria during the EU Council Presidency.

The two chief diplomats considered a number of issues on the international agenda, including current developments in the Western Balkans and EU common foreign and security policy topics. Both expressed the opinion that stability in the Balkans is crucial for the entire European Union. The EU's relations with Russia and Turkey were discussed during the meeting.

An exhibition of documents showing the development of diplomatic relations between the two countries was presented at the German Federal Foreign Office. LI/LG