Bulgarian President Radev Invites Russian President Putin to Visit in 2018

Sofia, June 20 (BTA) - Bulgarian President Rumen Radev invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to pay an official visit to Bulgaria in 2018 on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of the end of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 and Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman rule, Radev's press secretariat reported.

The invitation was extended during a 20-minute telephone conversation conducted at Radev's initiative. Putin thanked for the invitation and accepted it. The exact time of the trip is yet to be specified.

Radev greeted Putin and the Russian people in connection with Russia Day (June 12). The strong historical and spiritual bond between the people of Bulgaria and Russia was highlighted during the conversation.

Putin thanked Radev for his contribution to the development of bilateral relations.

At the initiative of the Russian President, the two leaders reviewed bilateral trade and economic cooperation and bilateral ties in the field of energy. They expressed their shared desire to promote these relations on the basis of mutual benefit without politicizing them.