Prime Minister Boiko Borissov has invited his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to Sofia in November as part of the talks Bulgaria has with Russia on large-scale energy projects such as the Belene nuclear power plant, the South Stream natural gas pipeline and the Bourgas-Alexandropoulis oil pipeline, Borissov told Nova Televisia on August 28 2009.

In November, the Bulgarian-Russian economic bilateral committee is scheduled to meet in Moscow, but Borissov asked Putin to move the session to Sofia so that Borissov can personally take part.

"I suppose that he (Putin) will also come to this meeting," Borissov told Nova Televisia. Borissov said that they spoke for more than an hour by phone on August 27 2009 when they discussed bilateral energy projects signed by the previous government. Previously, Borissov has said that most of these projects would have to be reconsidered because of lack of funds.

This was Borissov's first conversation with Putin since Borissov won the July 5 2009 elections. The two are expected to meet when Putin goes to the Polish city of Gdansk for a World War 2 commemoration on September 1 2009, a week before Borissov's visit to the European Commission in Brussels.

"He (Putin) was calm, confident and very precise. He knew the names of all my ministers including statements they had made. I think I gave him the same response," Borissov told Nova Televisia.

"I asked him whether he wants to have continuity in our relations (given that contracts signed by Borissov's predecessor). Because if he does, then this continuity (the contracts) would not be good for Bulgaria because of the lack of funding for them," Borissov said.

"That's why I asked him to come to Sofia in November and discuss these issues. I have asked for this postponement so that my ministers can get a better and full picture on what has been done with these projects".

"Putin is someone who says 'I want to know that yes means yes and no means no, because both are equally strong answers," Borissov said.

"He told me 'thank you for calling me to tell me what you think and that you are interested in the details and in continuing negotiations. Thank you for this attitude'," Borissov said.