Official website of the President of Russia

Transcripts   /

Question: Today you have visited some symbolic places which are very important for the history of Russia. What is your impression?

Vladimir Putin: My strongest impression is not so much the visits to these places, although of course they are impressive, but the friendliness of the Bulgarian people. I think it has not been lost on the media. You can see it in the streets of Sofia and in the small towns we visited, not only on Shipka, but in other places as well. And that is the most pleasant and the biggest impression. As for Shipka itself, it is heartening that the people of Bulgaria still remember the Russian soldiers who shed their blood to gain the independence of Bulgaria and that they cherish these memories. This is genuine attention to our shared history. As I have said on Shipka, it is a good basis for the development of relations in the future. Remembering the heroism of our ancestors we must of course look to the future. I am sure that Bulgaria and Russia can make a significant contribution to the development of the greater common Europe. During these two days we have done much to change the situation in the Russian-Bulgarian relations for the better. We have a good basis for that: historical, moral, cultural, and economic, because there are many projects of interest both to Russia and Bulgaria, and without any doubt to Europe. I mean above all energy.

Question: Could you assess your visit to Bulgaria in a single word?

Vladimir Putin: I am not sure I can do it in a single word, but I will try to put it in a few words. I think it has been very timely and highly productive. We shall see what will follow in the near future. I am confident that the visit will not be confined to fine words and recollections of the past. I have a firm conviction that our relations will develop.