INTERVIEW OF RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ALEXANDER YAKOVENKO WITH RIA NOVOSTI ON RUSSIAN-BULGARIAN RELATIONS

- Mr. Yakovenko, what do you think the priorities in Russian-Bulgarian relations are?

- The present-day relations between Russia and Bulgaria are characterized by an atmosphere of mutually beneficial cooperation based on practice and responsiveness to each other's interests.

Interstate /political issues/, intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents on trade, investment, law-enforcement cooperation and culture are expected to be signed to consolidate the new quality of our relations, set long-term bilateral priorities, as well as contribute to further development of the legal treaty basis in the Russian-Bulgarian cooperation.

- What are the international priorities in Russian-Bulgarian relations?

- It is worthy to note that recently Russia and Bulgaria have been seeking to step up foreign policy cooperation. The political dialogue between the two countries focuses on key international issues, such as the Iraqi crisis, Middle East settlement, the Balkan situation and some new global threats and challenges. We are pleased at the two countries' adherence to widening international cooperation.

- Russia and Bulgaria are effectively cooperating in economic, cultural and humanitarian areas. Could you illustrate it with examples?

- Bulgaria is Russia's major trade and economic partner. In 2002 the mutual Russian-Bulgarian trade turnover was $1.4 billion.

Much emphasis is laid on joint energy and infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the Burgas-Alexandrupolis pipeline, building of a nuclear station in Belen, participation in the "BulgarGas" privatization, gasification of Bulgarian regions, gas transportation to the neighboring Balkan states, reconstruction of several thermal power plants built with Russia's technical cooperation.

In the context of activating bilateral relations, interregional cooperation is becoming prospective. This is an important reserve of deepening the trade and economic ties between Russia and Bulgaria.

Russia and Bulgaria are also widening their cultural dialogue. First of all, it concerns this year's 125th anniversary of the Victory in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 and Bulgaria's liberation from the Ottoman yoke.

Sofia will see Russian Culture Days. The State History Museum is to bring its collection to Bulgaria, cinemas are to screen winners of international film festivals, Russian bands and singers are supposed to perform. The aforementioned events are called upon to step up further development of the Russian-Bulgarian cultural and humanitarian cooperation.