Strategic partnership with Russia was Bulgaria’s top priority, Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin told Russian news agency Itar-Tass.

Kalfin would make his first work visit to Russia on December 6 2006 and would meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and Russian business representatives, Itar-Tass said.

Bulgaria was willing to co-operate with Russia in many fields, Kalfin said.

Bulgaria and Russia have good political relations but a number of changes, especially in trade relations, could be introduced once Bulgaria enters the EU because of the EU policy requirement. Bulgaria was ready to discus the changes with Russia.

The two countries had do discuss furthered political dialogue, economic relations, regional policy, co-operation in the Western Balkans and in the Black Sea region and cultural relations, Kalfin said.