ATHENS

Bulgaria and France have agreed to explore cooperation opportunities in nuclear energy and defense, local media reported on Thursday.

This understanding was reached during a meeting between Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov and visiting French Secretary of State for European Affairs Laurence Boone, according to the state-run BTA news agency.

Bulgaria has already signed a contract with the French company Framatome for the supply of fresh nuclear fuel for the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, the news agency said, adding that France is also interested in participating in the project for two new reactors at the plant.

Furthermore, France is interested in Bulgarian army modernization projects, for which French companies have made technological equipment supply offers, the media outlet said.

France also expressed support for Bulgaria's main foreign policy priorities, including accession to the Schengen area, the Eurozone, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).