The Athens municipal enterprise for the preparation of projects for European funding will open an office in Sofia, Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis and Sofia Mayor Boiko Borissov said at a joint news conference after meeting on Friday. Kaklamanis is paying an official visit to Sofia between Thursday and Sunday at Borissov's invitation.

Kaklamanis said Athens and Sofia have similar problems, such as urban development and waste management. The Greek capital will help the Bulgarian capital with its expertise in preparing projects and in absorbing European funds.

In the system of Athens Municipality there is a municipal enterprise which deals with the projects for applying with European funds, Kaklamanis said. The enterprise will open an office in Sofia to assist Sofia Municipality.

The two mayor's offices will prepare a joint project for applying to European funds for renovation of Bulgarian and Greek churches and monasteries and for improvement of adjoining infrastructure.

Later on Friday Kaklamanis and Bulgarian Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski discussed regional cooperation and possibilites related to both countries' EU membership, as well as the opportunities of Bulgaria and Greece to contribute to the economic integration of the region. The Mayor of Athens underlined the importance of big projects such as Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline and Blue Stream gas pipeline for the economic development of both countries.

Source: BTA