Germany is to send experts who are going to advise Bulgaria on issues such as judicial reform, energy projects and absorption of European Union (EU) funds.

This was agreed between Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at their meeting on Monday in Berlin, Darik radio reports.

Borisov and Merkel have discussed the idea for the construction of a gas hub as a substitute for the cancelled South Stream project as well as Bulgaria's accession into Schengen, the electronic edition of 24 Chasa daily reports.

Borisov has presented to Merkel the idea for the construction of a gas hub near the Bulgarian city of Varna, from where the gas will be handled by the EU following the creation of the common energy market.

The topic will be discussed further at the forthcoming meeting of the European Council on Thursday.

Merkel said that Germany has a positive experience with Russia as a partner, and has received an assurance that Bulgaria is also reliable partner.

The German Chancellor did not give a concrete answer whether Germany will engage with providing financial compensations to Bulgaria for the losses arising from the cancellation of the South Stream pipeline.

Merkel mentioned that multiple contracts have been concluded and it is most important to review very carefully the legal side of the issue and reach a solution which is in compliance with EU regulations.

Borisov has requested for an extension with a further year of the deadline on the absorption of the EU funds remaining from the 2007-2013 multiannual financial framework.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister pointed to the concessions that had been granted to the countries of the Visegrad Group.

Merkel did not engage with anything concrete, but promised that she will be supporting Bulgarian demands at the European Council and will attempt to achieve what is possible.

As regards Schengen, Berlin similarly did not give any concrete guarantees for a prompt solution to the problem with Bulgaria's accession to the borderless area.

Borisov has listed all difficulties which Bulgaria has faced with the refugee wave and large resources which the country has expended for ensuring the security of the EU's external border.

There are promises of the possibility of lifting the sea and air borders for Bulgaria and Romania at the meeting of the European Council in March 2015, but Merkel said that this will be decided in February next year when the latest reports of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) will be reviewed.

The German Chancellor pointed that she has sensed determination in the incumbent Bulgarian government to deal with the problems that the country faces, especially with the fight against organised crime.