Burgas and Batumi Become Closer Because of “Black Sea Euroregion”

Wednesday, 18 March 2009

Mayor of Burgas Dimitar Nikolov met the ambassador of Georgia in Bulgaria His Excellency Mikheil Ukleba today, March 18th. During their conversation they stated their willingness to increase contacts between the Black Sea cities of Burgas and Batumi.

Excellent opportunities for economic co-operation for development of the two sea regions were discussed. There have already been set ground for that, for Burgas and Batumi are among the founders of the Black Sea Euroregion Association, that supports the co-operation between Black Sea regions and municipalities.

The Association’s financial resources are provided through several European programmes – the Black Sea Synergy Programme/with annual budget of EURO 1.7 billion/, the Black Sea Basin Joint Operational Programme, etc. The two ports of Burgas and Batumi will attempt to profit together by these funds in order to realize their economic, infrastructure and eco- projects.

Mikheil Ukleba made a direct proposal for fraternization between Burgas and Batumi, which will be introduced before the Municipal Council for voting. A representative office of Georgia is to be open in Burgas to coordinate various bilateral business and culture projects.

Batumi is the capital of Adjaria – one of the independent republics of Georgia. In ancient times Adjaria used to be part of the legendary kingdom of Kolhida, where Yazon stealed the golden fleece.

Ambassador Ukleba announced, that by the year 2010 Georgia and Azerbaidzhan will connect to Turkey via new railways, which makes the outlooks for economic relations between Georgia and Bulgaria even better.

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At the end of the meeting Mayor Nikolov and the Georgian diplomatist exchanged bottles of wine – an export product for both countries with which they are world famous.

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