Speaking after a Tuesday meeting with his Georgian counterpart, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov stressed that the friendly relations between the two countries were based on the understanding of the importance of democratic reforms.

"We congratulate the Georgian authorities for the consolidation of democratic institutions," Maldenov added, as cited by the press office of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry.

He emphasized that Georgia deserved a high estimate from the international community for its achievements in the past few years.

Mladenov vowed that Bulgaria would continue to help Georgia in the future, including by sending observers at the elections scheduled for the fall of 2012.

The two foreign ministers agreed that bilateral trade between Bulgaria and Georgia had to increase, adding that the Georgia-EU Free Trade Agreement was an apt tool for the purpose.

"Bulgaria, as an EU Member State, and the EU ambassador to Georgia Philip Dimitrov, will work for the finalization of the agreement as soon as possible," Mladenov added.

Bulgaria's Foreign Minister emphasized the country's appreciation for Georgia's efforts as a candidate for NATO membership and voiced hopes that the 2014 summit would be devoted to the expansion of the organization.

Nikolay Mladenov and Gregory Vashadze signed a declaration for cooperation development and a declaration on the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Georgia.

During the visit of the Romanian delegation, Mladenov also met with Georgia's Prime Minister Vano Merabishvili, the emphasis of the talks being economic issues and opportunities for boosting trade between the two countries.