Economic cooperation between Bulgaria and Germany was the focus of talks between Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Berlin. Schroeder said economic contacts could concentrate in three areas: modernization of the energy sector, in which RWE and Ruhrgas show interest; telecommunications, in which Deutsche Telekom is a possible partner for cooperation; and environmental protection and alternative energy sources, where Schroeder sees potential for closer cooperation. Germany supports all Bulgarian projects under the Stability Pact, which are mainly in transport and municipal policy. Politically and economically, Germany supports Bulgaria's progress to Europe, Schroeder pointed out after the meeting. Bulgarian Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg arrived on his first official visit to Germany at Schroeder's invitation on December 13.