Bulgaria, Turkey to jointly build gas, rail links: PMs

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and his visiting Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on Tuesday said their countries would jointly build a gas interconnector and a high-speed rail line.

Bulgaria is a gateway of Turkey to the European Union, and two neighboring Balkan countries would jointly build large infrastructure projects in order to improve their connectivity, Davutoglu said at a press conference after bilateral talks.

A high-speed railway line between Sofia and Istanbul would be the next bilateral transport project, said Davutoglu who paid a one-day official visit to Bulgaria.

The two countries also plan the construction of an interconnector to deliver Azeri gas to Bulgaria, the Turkish Prime Minister said.

In turn, Borissov said the future gas interconnectors with neighboring countries would enable a real diversification and possibilities to transit gas from all directions.

He said he hoped that "very soon" the transport ministers would invite the two prime ministers for the launching ceremony of the railway line that would allow trains to travel at a speed of 180-190 km per hour.

Later on Tuesday, Davutoglu met with Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev. "Both sides believe that the better transport and energy connectivity and the implementation of large infrastructure projects, especially within the 'Belt and Road initiative' from China to Europe, create an opportunity for accelerated economic growth for the whole region," the press office of Bulgarian president said in a statement.