Tsipras describes Bulgaria as Greece’s closest partner in Balkans on Sofia visit

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borisov in Sofia on Monday for talks that are expected to focus on cooperation in the energy, transport and defense sectors.

In a message on his Twitter account, Tsipras described Bulgaria as Greece's closest partner in the Balkans. The goal of talks is to improve political dialogue and cooperation between the two countries, Tsipras said.

He and Borissov are to jointly chair a session of a bilateral council that is to examine the scope for cooperation in energy and transport and other sectors.

The two countries have already participated in the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria gas pipeline and have agreed to create a liquefied natural gas terminal near Alexandroupoli, northern Greece.

Tsipras, who is being accompanied on his lightning visit by several key ministers, is due to return to Athens on Monday afternoon.