Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev offered his Greek counterpart Costas Karamanlis help in bringing the fires in Greece under control, the Council of Ministers said.

Stanishev called Karamanlis on the telephone on Monday to discuss the situation in Greece in the wake of the devastating fires.

The Bulgarian government leader offered condolences for the victims and reaffirmed Bulgaria'swillingness to provide support to Greece.

Stanishev offered help in the form of medical aid and teams. The two prime ministers discussed the possibility for firefighters stationed in Southern Bulgaria to stand duty in Northern Greece, which would allow Greek firefighters to concentrate their efforts in the south.

Karamanlis thanked Stanishev for his support and said the government was doing its best to bring the situation under control.