Sofia is preparing to host a joint meeting of the governments of Bulgaria and Greece on June 27 to
be chaired by Prime Ministers Boyko Borissov of Bulgaria and George Papandreou of Greece.

This is the first meeting of its kind. The decision for it was made at one of the first meetings of the prime ministers of the two countries, Bulgarian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Vessela Cherneva said last week.

The two countries intend to hold such government meetings every year, while the line deputy ministers will meet at least twice a year, said she.

During his visit to Bulgariia, Prime Minister Papandreou will also meet with President Georgi Purvanov, said the presidential press secretariat Monday.

The two governments will sign agreements on defence, sport, culture, financial and economic affairs, labour and social policy, health care and energy.

According to the Greek news media, energy issues and especially the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project, the South Stream gas pipeline project and the gas interconnection between Bulgaria and Greece will dominate the discussions.

ANA-MPA quoted the Greek Deputy Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Yanis Maniatis, as saying that Prime Minister Papandreou is bringing to Sofia a government delegation to discuss issues concerning Bourgas-Alexandroupolis.

He said further that his government intends to take a series of diplomatic initiatives in respect of Bulgaria following its recent decision to pull out of the agreement for building the oil pipeline between Bourgas and Alexandroupolis. In his words, the construction of the pipeline remains a key priority in the foreign policy of the Greek government in the energy sector.

Japan is a priority partner of Bulgaria in East Asia. In 2009 two-way trade totalled 124.42 million dollars which was 47.2 per cent less than in 2008. In the first quarter of 2010 the commercial exchange stood at 32.6 million dollars, or up by 43.1per cent from this time in 2009. Bulgarian export is dominated by essential oils, molluscs, printed circuit boards, terracing machines, electric engines. antibiotics and vegetables. Japanese
imports are dominated by vehicles, steam turbines, engines, wire and cables, machine components and taps.