Foreign minister Velislava Petrova is hosting her French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, minister for Europe and foreign affairs, in Varna today, the foreign ministry said. The two will sign an updated roadmap to the 2008 Declaration on Strategic Partnership between Bulgaria and France.

The government approved the document a few days ago. The roadmap covers trade and investment, security and defence, nuclear energy, science, education, culture and other areas of shared interest. BTA reports that it reflects the positive progress in political dialogue and the readiness of both sides to deepen ties.

The talks will cover the partnership between the two countries, European security with a special focus on the Black Sea, and other European and international issues.

The ministers will also visit the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna.