Energy, counter-terrorism top agenda as UK, Bulgarian prime ministers meet
Energy issues and the fight against terrorism were the main issues discussed by Bulgarian prime minister Boiko Borissov and his British counterpart David Cameron during their meeting at 10 Downing Street.
Cameron echoed earlier statements from the US and Israel, blaming Islamic militia Hezbollah for the suicide bombing that took the lives of five Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian bus driver at Sarafovo airport in Bourgas on July 18, but Borissov was more cautious about pointing fingers, saying that Britain should pass any evidence they have about the terrorist act’s masterminds to Bulgarian investigators.
Cameron also extended condolences to the Bulgarian people and said that Britain would continue to co-operate with Bulgaria in the fight against terrorism.
The two prime ministers spent most of their meeting discussing energy issues, however, Borissov told reporters outside 10 Downing Street. Borissov, who was accompanied by Economy and Energy Minister Delyan Dobrev on his two-day working trip, said he asked for Cameron’s support to raise the profile of the Nabucco gas pipeline project on EU’s agenda.
“All of us in Europe want gas from Shah Deniz [gas field] to flow into Europe as soon as possible. This naturally requires an interconnector in Bulgaria and that is why Nabucco West is very important for us,” Borissov said, as quoted by Bulgarian National Television.
British Petroleum is one of the main operators of the Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea off the coast of Azerbaijan, with a stake of 30.5 per cent.
Borissov highlighted the co-operation between the two countries on European Union issues. “In many areas we have a complete understanding and defend common policies in the EU, especially where financial discipline and security is concerned,” he said.
The two prime ministers discussed the Olympic Games now being hosted by London, but Borissov was not scheduled to attend any Olympic events or visit the Olympic village, although he would meet Bulgarian athletes at the Bulgarian embassy in London, the Government’s press service said.
(Photo: government.bg)
