The opening of the ferry connection Varna-Caucasus will be delayed. This announced the chairman of the Group for cooperation with Bulgaria in the Council of the Federation of the Russian federal assembly Victor Gluhik, who is on official visit to Bulgaria.
The ferry will start March 2009 at the earliest, announces BNR.
The opening of the ferry connection should have been in October. Because of uncleared issues between the two governments, whoever, this didn't happen, informed Gluhik.
“The hurdles are not so big, but harbour Caucasus is a shallow water one and this determines the need this line to be served by new ferries, because those, which Bulgaria possesses now could not enter the harbour. Negotiations between the two countries are going on also about the insurance of the cargo and the joint exploitation of the wagons”, claimed Gluhik.
The ferry will ease the trade relations between the Bulgaria and Russia and will transport tourists. Thus the crossing of three borders will be economized, each one of which additionally imposes customs duties on the Bulgarian goods, which travel to the Russian market.
Regarding the joint energy projects, Gluhik announced the intention in May a meeting of mayors, regional governors and the population of the regions, affected by the future projects to be organized in order to clarify the projects' aim and the way for their realization.
Gluhik informed also about a big presentation which was being prepared in 2009 with regard to the Year of Bulgaria in Russia. Such one, according to him, has not happened for 30 years.

by Olga Yoncheva