Bulgaria is Reconciliating Ties with Russia

• 03.12.2015, 23:02
•  Europe,  World

Bulgaria is working on warming its relations with Russia. Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Ivailo Kalfin said he had an informal tete-a-tete meeting with his Russian counterpart, Arkadiy Dvorkovich, during his visit to Moscow at the end of last week.

"The purpose of my visit was to unblock our relations," - deputy Prime Minister said. "Normal dialogue has to be re-established before we reach the stage of high-level visits."

On the other hand this meeting may prepare a ground for further official meetings on higher levels. Kalfin, a former Foreign Minister, said that, in contrast to other EU members, such as Italy and Hungary, Bulgaria has neglected its bilateral ties with Russia, once a big market for its agricultural exports.

''The economic relations with Russia are extremely important for Bulgaria,'' - Kalfin said. ''I believe that in a time of crisis every chance that the business can take, should not be missed. I am convinced that there are ample cooperation opportunities for both sides.''

Except for the sanctions, Bulgaria and Russia have had energy issues. The European Commission has asked Bulgaria to adjust its South Stream agreement with Russia to EU energy and single market rules or face legal action. South Stream gas pipeline intends to supply 63 billion cubic metres of Russian gas to the Balkans and central Europe. Russia, in response, announced last December it would re-route the project to Turkey, putting the blame on Sofia.

It seems that even the states which have officially declared to be for the sanctions imposed on Russia are now trying to maintain or regain good relations with it. The reason is that very many countries accept that their economies suffer a lot because of the import ban on Russia. It can be stated that the West is making steps towards reconciliation of relations with Putin, who was isolated being under EU and US sanctions as a result of annexation of Crimea. The ice is melting.