 President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, and his wife Barbara Mikliè Türk welcomed President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Dr Georgi Parvanov, and his wife Dr Zorka Parvanova, who arrived to the Republic of Slovenia for a two-day official visit. After the official welcoming ceremony with military honours, the presidential couples held a short conversation, followed by a discussion behind closed doors between the Slovenian and Bulgarian president. Afterwards, plenary talks took place between the delegations of the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Bulgaria under the leadership of both presidents. |
 President Dr Danilo Türk warmly welcomed the Bulgarian President Parvanov, whom he described as a president enjoying highest appreciation all over Europe for his experiences, political wisdom and significant contribution to the development of European projects. President Türk emphasised that cooperation between Slovenia and Bulgaria was very good, especially by taking into account the increase in the trade in goods by as much as 50 percent in the past year, which already returned to the same level as before the crisis. Moreover, trade in services progresses well, with good opportunities arising also in the field of investments, added the President.
President Dr Georgi Parvanov expressed his satisfaction over the extensive and successful talks with the Slovenian President. He emphasised that the political dialogue between the two countries was intensive, thereby reminding of a successful official visit of President Türk in Bulgaria two years ago. The two presidents regularly meet in the margins of various internationals forums and the Bulgarian President is convinced that their dialogue also contributes to the dialogue between individual institutions and economies of both countries. |
 The Slovenian President reminded that the possibilities for additional enhancement of economic cooperation will be discussed further on at tomorrow's business conference attended by economists from both countries. In particular, he stressed the need for cooperation between air carriers and the development of cooperation in the field of tourism. In his view, interpersonal contacts have exceptional influence on the state of relations between the two countries, as well as on the opening of new business, cultural and other opportunities of cooperation.
The Bulgarian President confirmed the positive trend in the trade volume, stressing, however, that the countries can achieve much more. Progress could be fostered by establishing connections between the economists through various business conferences. Additionally, the obstacles in communication should be removed, that is why he gave support to the establishment of a direct airline connection between the two countries. As a third area of action, he mentioned the conclusion and renewal of bilateral agreements. In particular, he referred to the mutual interest for investments and a positive trend in the field of tourist exchange. |
 President Türk and President Parvanov also discussed several projects connected with the future of South-Eastern Europe and Europe as a whole. Among those special attention was paid to the significance of the South Stream gas pipeline project, in which both countries are involved. He expressed his wish that this project would succeed and that the European Union would successfully develop its energy strategy by establishing good relations with the countries that are suppliers of energy products, especially with the Russian Federation as well as Azerbaijan. |
 The Bulgarian President pointed out that the two countries share common views and positions as regards the energy policy. He supported the idea of the Slovenian Government to organise a conference on the South Stream pipeline with the purpose to see the European perspective as regards the pipeline and to lend an ear to the European positions on this project. He added that Bulgaria will continue to pursue its efforts aimed at the diversification of energy routes since the supply of natural gas is of key importance for the development of Bulgarian economy as well as the economies of other European countries.
The Slovenian President offered his support to the Republic of Bulgaria in affirming its position as a member of the Schengen Area and expressed the wish that all remaining open issues in this regard would be solved as soon as possible. He also supported the enlargement of the Schengen Area and of the European Union towards South-Eastern Europe. He added that Slovenia and Bulgaria, as countries that are very close to the countries in this region, contribute towards the stability in South-Eastern Europe through various political, economic and other activities, and will remain committed to this role also in the future. |
 The Bulgarian President stressed the common views of Slovenia and Bulgaria on the issues that are on the agenda of the European Union with regard to the reinforcement and further enlargement of the Union to the area of South-Eastern Europe. He expressed his gratitude to President Türk for offering his support to Bulgarian efforts for the accession to the Schengen Area.
Finally, both the Slovenian and Bulgarian president expressed mutual support to the membership in the United Nations Security Council, in which Slovenia endeavours to gain membership in the period 2012–2013 and Bulgaria in the period 2018–2019. |