Bulgaria and Russia are both deeply interested in enhancing co-operation between small and medium business and in tourism, Vice President Margarita Popova and Valentina Matviyenko, Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, agreed at a meeting at 2 Dondoukov Boulevard today.

At the meeting, Vice President Popova said that Bulgaria supports the development of Russia's relations with the EU. She expressed confidence that Europe would emerge stronger and more stable than the crisis, and that the two countries should work actively in this direction. “We are following the talks between Russia and the EU, and we hope to conclude an agreement on mutual co-operation, which would give a positive impetus to relations between our two countries,” the Vice President said.

Valentina Matviyenko said that Russia is interested in developing co-operation with Bulgaria on the widest range of issues. She said that the two countries could actively develop their relations on a mutually advantageous basis. She expressed hope that there will be an opportunity for visa liberalization as a means to increase tourism from Russia to Bulgaria.

The overall assessment was that co-operation between the SMEs of the two countries is another very strong direction for co-operation. “We understand and accept the Euro-Atlantic choice of Bulgaria and we have a pragmatic approach to it,” said Valentina Matviyenko.

Margarita Popova told Valentina Matviyenko that Bulgaria provides some of the best conditions in Europe for foreign investors. “Bulgaria has impressive financial stability. Further recognition of the achievements of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Simeon Djankov is his election as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development,” the Vice President said.

Margarita Popova expressed her satisfaction that the meeting was being held on the eve of the bright day of May 24, the Day of Bulgarian Education and Culture, and Slavonic Literature. “Thanks to the brothers Cyril and Methodius, the Cyrillic alphabet is numbered among the other European alphabets,” she said.

The two sides also discussed the role of women in political and public life.

Valentina Matviyenko invited Vice President Popova to visit Russia at a time convenient to her.