Moscow, 15 April 1997 (RFE/RL) - Russia and Bulgaria have agreed to create a joint free-economic zone. Interfax news agency quotes Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov as making the announcement today in Moscow, after meeting Bulgaria's interim Prime Minister Stefan Sofiansky.
Nemtsov said the official agreement will be signed today by Sofiansky and Russian prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin.
Nemtsov said that during today meeting, he and Sofiansky had also discussed NATO's planned Eastward expansion, which Russia opposes.
Sofiansky today also met Federation Council Chairman Yegor Stroyev. Interfax quoted Sofiansky as telling Stroyev that what he called the "shadow" of NATO's enlargement would not disturb relations between Bulgaria and Russia.
Nemtsov said the official agreement will be signed today by Sofiansky and Russian prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin.
Nemtsov said that during today meeting, he and Sofiansky had also discussed NATO's planned Eastward expansion, which Russia opposes.
Sofiansky today also met Federation Council Chairman Yegor Stroyev. Interfax quoted Sofiansky as telling Stroyev that what he called the "shadow" of NATO's enlargement would not disturb relations between Bulgaria and Russia.