Vladimir Putin's supporters in Bulgaria came up win an unusual idea how to show their hospitality. They printed cards with an inscription, patched against a red background, reading: “Vladimir Putin live in Sofia, November 13, 2010.” Photo by EPA/BGNES
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's scheduled visit to Sofia on Saturday will cause significant adjustments to the Bulgarian capital's traffic as early as on Friday.
The Russian prime minister's official visit starts on Saturday and will feature a planned meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart, Boyko Borisov. The traffic restrictions, however, are to be introduced as early as 18.00 Friday when vehicles will not be allowed to stop or park on some of the city's most important streets and locations.
Those are: Tsarigradsko Shausse Blvd. (between Brussels Blvd and Orlov most square ); Gurko str (between Rakovski str and Lege str); the parking lot outside the National Stadium Vasil Levski; the Narodno Sabranie (National Assembly) square; Alexander I square, Nezavisimost (Independence) square.
From 7:00 Friday until the delagation's departure, parking or stopping will not be allowed on Mimi Balkanska str; on Brussels Blvd; on Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd; on Knyaz Al. Dondukov Blvd (between Nezavisimost square and Vasil Levski Blvd); on Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi Blvd (between Gurko str and Orlov most square) and on November 15 str (between Oborishte str and Narodno Sabranie square).
During Putin's visit, he and Bulgarian Prime Minister Borisov are expected to discuss strategic matters, such as the Belene Nuclear Power Plant and the "South Stream" gas pipeline.
It has been revealed that they will also discuss the overall trade relations between the two countries, the lost connections between them and the opportunities for catching up and improving commercial interaction.