“I hope 2002 to set the beginning for development in the bilateral political and economic relations between Russia and Bulgaria,“ Dmitriy Rogozin, chairman of the Committee on International Affairs with Russia’s Duma said upon the arrival of an official Russian delegation in Bulgaria. The delegation is headed by Dmitriy Rogozin. He pointed out that Bulgaria is a stability factor on the Balkans. The President of the Russian Duma, Genady Seleznev, will pay an official visit to Bulgaria March 1-3.It is one of a forthcoming series of visits aimed at intensifying contacts between Bulgaria and Russia. An agreement on relaxed visa regulations between Bulgaria and Russia is expected to be signed by the end of February and to enter into force right away.