President Georgi Parvanov invited Russian companies to tenders in the energy sector in Bulgaria at the business forum held in Moscow during his working visit in Russia. The firms confirmed their interest to the privatization of power plants and power distribution ventures, Vice-Premier Kostadin Paskalev stressed. Possibilities for expansion of electricity and gas trasfer through Bulgaria, cooperation in the field of atomic energy and transportation of waste nuclear fuel were on the forum's agenda as well. Urgent decisions are necessary to animate tourism to and from Bulgaria and Russia, President Parvanov said before businessmen from both states. To him, Bulgaria made haste introducing strict visa regime unlike other countries. It was proposed to put in use e-visas issued directly in airports as early as this winter.

 

 

 

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov said Saturday that they had agreed to increase Moscow's natural gas supplies to Bulgaria and that the volume of Russian gas transiting the Balkan nation would also grow.

 

Energy issues dominated the two leaders' Kremlin talks, which capped Parvanov's four-day visit to Russia. Parvanov welcomed a deal under which Moscow would repay some of its debt to Bulgaria in nuclear fuel deliveries.

 

Putin said Russian energy companies would surely be interested in purchasing components of Bulgaria's energy system that are slated for privatization, but tried to deflect any concerns about possible Russian domination.

 

"Of course, we don't claim any exclusivity or preferential treatment," Putin said. "We want Russian firms to take part on equal terms. And I'm sure the choice will be honest and objective."

 

Responding to a Bulgarian reporter's question about his attitude to Bulgaria's possible future membership in NATO, Putin said it was up to each nation to make its own decision.

 

"It's my deep personal conviction that Bulgaria's security will certainly not grow as a result of joining NATO, but let's say there are domestic policy reasons that make it attractive," Putin said.

 

"The main thing is that any country has a right to choose the security system it considers necessary in this sensitive sphere, which is very important for any state."

 

Parvanov, a Socialist credited with seeking to reform his previously communist party, beat the incumbent in an election last November and vowed to work toward membership in the European Union ( news - web sites) and NATO.

 

He said the ties between Russia and Bulgaria, close allies in the Soviet era, had been constrained in recent years by politicians who rejected the country's communist legacy and wanted to put its pre-1989 history "in the rearview mirror." Bulgaria's aspirations for fuller integration into Europe should not cancel out its need for Russia, he said.

 

"European integration for Bulgaria doesn't exclude, but requires, more cooperation with Russia," Parvanov said.

 

 

Elena Dimitrova

 

Count Vladimir chose the village of Yasna Polyana for the international conference of Tolstoy's followers.

 

The grandson of legendary Russian writer Lev Tolstoy is going to rest in the village of Yasna Polyana in Strandzha region, 'Standart' learnt. Count Vladimir will arrive to Bulgaria with his family at the beginning of October and will spend a whole month in Strandzha. The local people have already prepared a cozy old house for the famous family. The residents of Yasna Polyana decided to welcome Lev Tolstoy's descendants with a party. Count Vladimir has already confirmed his visit. He arrives in Bulgaria inspired by the idea to organize an international conference of Tolstoy's followers. He intends to bring together famous writers, philosophers and people of art who share Tolstoy's ideas from all over the world.

 

 

Antoaneta Peteva

 

The list with the guests ready in 10 days.

 

The fiance of the PM's daughter Kalina will not see the wedding dress of his beloved before the wedding, the press secretary of the royal family Galya Dicheva announced. The tradition is the same in Spain and in Bulgaria and it requires that the wedding dress be kept in secret, away from the bridegroom's sight, Galya Dicheva said. She confirmed that the weeding will be in "Tsarska Bistritsa" residence. She also disproved the rumours that the ceremony and the celebrations are to be moved to "Vrana". The wedding invitations have already been sent out. It is expected that the confirmations will arrive by the end of the month. Just then the list of the guests will be announced. It is Kalina and Kitin who decide who will be invited for the day of their oaths of allegiance.