Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov visited Istanbul Saturday at the invitation of Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the press office of Bulgaria's Council of Ministers said in a statement.

Borisov and Erdogan attended a working lunch at the Turkish Premier's residence in Istanbul, the Dolmabahce Palace, during which they discussed political and economic relations between the two countries.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister was accompanied by Finance Minister Simeon Djankov and Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov, while the Turkish side was also represented by the country's ministers of finance and energy.

The talks focused on joint infrastructure projects ensuring transport connection between Europe and Asia and the construction of the Bulgaria-Turkey gas grid interconnection

The two prime ministers also expressed mutual desire to take plans for the Nabucco gas pipeline "from paper into reality" and to fast-track the start of the actual construction of the conduit.

The EU-backed gas pipeline was a key point in last week's talks between the heads of state of Bulgaria and Turkey. Presidents Parvanov and Gul vowed to use their contacts to secure enough gas for the project aimed at diversifying energy supplies to Europe.

The traditionally good neighborly relations between Bulgaria and Turkey also received prominent mention during the meeting.

Erdogan accepted Borisov's invitation to visit Bulgaria in early September 2011.

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