We discussed the opportunities for expanding cooperation between Sofia and Moscow in new spheres. This was stated after a meeting held today in Sofia Municipality between the Mayor of Sofia, Yordanka Fandakova and a delegation of the Government of Moscow headed by Sergei Cheremin, Minister in the Government of Moscow and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of the City of Moscow. Sergey Kuznetsov, Chief Architect of Moscow, Anatoly Karpov, world chess champion and Russian Duma deputy, as well as representatives of the Department of Culture, the Moscow City Duma, the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry also attended the meeting. The Moscow delegation will take part in the Days of Moscow in Sofia (October 1 – 2, 2018).

On behalf of Sofia Municipality were present the deputy mayors, Assoc. Prof. Todor Chobanov, Evgeni Krussev, the Chief Architect of Sofia, Zdravko Zdravkov, the director of the Sofia Municipal Investment Agency, Vladimir Danailov and the municipal councillors, Iskra Angelova and Milka Hristova. 

During the talks, the two sides discussed opportunities for cooperation in the area of urban transport development, culture, education, healthcare and tourism. Mayor Fandakova pointed out that we have a proposal the Government of Moscow to equip several rooms in Sofia schools for chemistry, physics and biology labs. In the sphere of municipal healthcare, physicians from municipal hospitals in Sofia are expected to exchange experience in Moscow hospitals. Cooperation in the sphere of economy and tourism is very important, said also Mayor Fandakova. It is envisaged to present Sofia as a tourist destination.

In the sphere of culture, we negotiated a partnership between the museums of Moscow and Sofia.

The areas of our cooperation develop actively, said Cheremin. The development of public spaces is one of the first projects, within which the two cities will exchange experience. Sofia invited as consultant in the field of urban planning and pedestrian zones development the world-famous architect, Jan Gehl, who also consulted Moscow. Sofia has announced an international design contest for the space around "Sveta Nedelya" temple, which combines cultural and historical heritage and a pedestrian zone. 

"Sofia - Moscow" is the topic of the first meeting, which will be held later this evening at the Central Military Club. Important issues in the field of urban planning and transformation of public spaces will be in the focus of the talks. 

Within the Days of Moscow in Sofia, volleyball and chess events between teams of Sofia and Moscow will be held.

Photographer: Geo Kalev