Bulgarian capital Sofia's average temperatures may increase to reach those of the Greek city of Thessalon?ki by 2035, according to a report ordered by the country's Environmental Ministry.

Temperatures may increase by 5 degrees Celsius, while average rainfalls may drop by over 15% in the course of the next 24 years in Bulgaria, the worst case scenario predicts. Bulgarian farmers have commented they will abandon their potato production and "resort"to olives instead, should the most catastrophic predictions materialize, the news.dir.bg agency announced.

The Bulgarian sea resorts will enjoy a longer tourist season, the agency points out.

However, the more realistic scenarios suggests the average temperatures will raise by a mere 1-1.5 degrees Celsius above their 1961-1990 levels by 2021, while the rainfalls will probably drop by 4-7%. Then, more drastic changes are expected by 2035, with rainfalls decreasing by 9-14% in comparison with their current levels and the weather getting 2,3 – 2,7 warmer than now.

The report has been ordered by the Environmental Miniatry, because a Bulgarian national strategy on water resources is to be set up.