Israel and Bulgaria have enjoyed extremely productive bilateral relations that have a great potential for further development, stated Bulgarian Minister of Interior Tsvetan Tsvetanov.

Monday Tsvetanov, who is also vice-PM of Bulgaria, is in Israel heading an official delegation to discuss matters ranging from security to tourism.

The delegation, which includes key Bulgarian security officers, met Israli ministers of public safety Yitzhak Aharonovich, of interior Eliyahu Yishai, and of foreign affairs Avigdor Lieberman.

The two sides discussed their mutual achievements in combating trans-border crime, including drug trafficking and abductions.

"We also discussed the latest events in North Africa and everything that has to do with the security of the region in a global worlds," said Tsvetanov.

The Israeli party expressed extreme satisfaction at the brotherly relations between the two countries and recalled Bulgaria's swift reaction in sending firemen to fight massive forest fires around Haifa in 2010.

"Bulgaria is a safe and attractive destination for Israeli tourists and we need to cash on that potential," stated the Bulgarian Minister of Interior.

Tuesday the Bulgarian delegation is heading to the Palestinian Authority, where they will meet their Palestinian counterparts to discuss cooperation, including the training of Palestinian police officers in Bulgaria.

As part of Monday's meetings, it was announced that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Bulgaria over the summer.