The Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, and his Bulgarian counterpart, Boyko Borisov, held their first Sofia meeting Thursday evening discussing energy projects and politics.

The meeting lasted only 30 minutes, but the talks are to continue later in the evening at the official dinner Borisov is giving in honor of his guest.

The two discussed the additional EUR 300 M in compensations Bulgaria hopes to receive from the EU for the closure of Unit 3 and 4 of the Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Kozloduy, and Berlusconi vowed his firm support in the matter.

The Italian PM was adamant that the “South Stream” gas line is a project that must be completed, adding it is strategic for both countries and he had discussed it with Russian PM, Vladimir Putin, in Istanbul, during the negotiations between Turkey and Russia about “South Stream” and the “Burgas-Alexandroupolis” oil line.

When asked if Italy can guarantee that “South Stream” will secure Bulgaria's independence of Russian gas supplies, Berlusconi pointed out that it was not Italy's fault gas can be found mostly in Siberia, and explained his country wants to add another gas line that would not go through the Ukraine so that the supplies are not fully dependent on the Ukraine's politics.

Berlusconi also stressed on the importance of diversifying energy supplies and the importance of nuclear energy, but declined answering questions if Italy has had talks about participating in the project for a second NPP in Bulgaria – Belene.

According to Borisov himself, Belene, and especially its financing, will be discussed during the dinner along with further talks about “South Stream.” Other topics at the dinner will include the combat of organized crime, but Berlusconi already mentioned his pride of Italy's progress and noted lately 225 criminal groups have been crushed and 29 of the 100 most wanted arrested.

The Italian PM also spoke about Italy supporting Turkey's EU membership as a country that could become a bridge between Europe and the Arab world.

Berlusconi recalled previous meetings with Borisov, offered high praise for his strength and his ambitious program to change Bulgaria.

Other topics included intensifying trade between the two countries, despite the fact Italy is among the top 3 trade partners of Bulgaria, Berlusconi's previous support for Bulgaria's EU accession, reminders of his friendly relations with former Tsar and PM, Simeon Saxe-Coburg.

The Italian PM joked saying he was nervous about Borisov beating him in the ratings and asked his Bulgarian counterpart to be careful not to pass the 60,5% approval mark – Berlusconi's own.

When a reporter asked a question about the role of women in the life of a politician, Borisov was the first to answer: “Positive. What other can it be?”

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