Greek, Bulgarian foreign ministers discuss bilateral relations, Balkan affairs

   SOFIA (ANA ) Following talks with Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis in the Bulgarian capital on Tuesday, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Pasi told reporters that a "mutually acceptable solution would be best" in the dispute between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) over FYROM's adoption of the name 'Macedonia'.

    Greece objects to the use of the name for the republic on the grounds that it is historically misleading and could lead to future claims on a northern Greek province of the same name.

    On his part, Molyviatis noted that the Greek side had been the one to ask for negotiations at the United Nations to be speeded up and stressed that this was also the position of the European Union.

    Asked what stance Athens will take with regard to Turkey's request to receive a date for the start of EU accession negotiations, the Greek minister said that Greece steadfastly supported Turkey's European prospects, believing these to be in the interests of Greece, Cyprus and to promote stability throughout the region.

    But it was up to Turkey to conform to the principles, values and obligations required of all candidate-countries by the EU, he added.

    Molyviatis has been accompanied on his visit to Sofia by deputy foreign minister Yiannis Valynakis and Evripidis Stylianidis, while his talks with Pasi covered bilateral and regional issues.

    Bulgaria wants to speed up the opening of new border crossings into Greece, with the one near the Greek city of Drama expected to be open in the first half of 2005. Sofia has also proposed creating an additional border crossing near Kyprinos.

    The two ministers expressed hope for progress in the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline and discussed the terms of employment and social insurance for Bulgarian immigrants working in Greece.

    Pasi also expressed Bulgaria's gratitude to Athens for its support of Bulgaria's efforts to join the EU and NATO.

    Molyviatis, on his part, said that inducting the Balkan area into Euro-Atlantic structures was the only way of ensuring the region's future prosperity, progress and constructive cooperation.

    The two sides expressed satisfaction with the excellent level of bilateral ties, noting that Greece was the top foreign investor in Bulgaria, the dramatic rise in tourist traffic in both directions and bilateral economic ties worth roughly 1.5 billion euros.

   

   

   

   

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