Russia, Bulgaria Laud Liberalized Visa Regime

Russian and Bulgarian ministers have expressed satisfaction at improved business and toursit ties due to recent liberalizations of the visa regime between the two countries.

Monday through Wednesday Bulgarian ministers of finance Simeon Djankov, of economy, energy and tourism Traicho Traikov and of transport Ivaylo Moskovski are on an official visit to Moscow.

Russian Minister of Energy Sergei Shmatko, who met with the Bulgarian delegation Tuesday, thanked for the decision taken by the Bulgarian government to install a visa-free regime for the country for Schengen visa holders.

"That way Russian citizens who have Schengen visas or residency permits will be able to visit Bulgaria without additional hurdles," said Shmatko.

Minister Traikov recalled that during 2010 Bulgarian trade with Russia has risen with 33%, with 25% growth of exports and 41% growth of imports.

According to Bulgarian data, partly as a result of a prior ease of the visa regime, the number of Russian tourists who visited Bulgaria during the first 11 months of 2011 has risen with 20%, in comparison with the same period 2010.

Bulgarian Minister of Transport Ivaylo Moskovski further discussed with Russian counterpart Igor Levitin discussed the permit regime for freight transportation between the two countries.

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