The transport ministry will help Burgas improve its transport links before the city hosts Eurovision next year. Transport minister Georgi Peev made the promise after meeting mayor Dimitar Nikolov.

This report follows our earlier story on the minister's visit to Burgas after the first direct drone attack on ships in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea.

Peev called the meeting productive. "We talked about how to improve transport, from links with the airports in Istanbul and Sofia to the domestic rail network," he said.

He said better links are needed to stage the contest and to move the guests expected to attend. State and local bodies must work together on preparations, including on transport and logistics, he said.

"Burgas can count on full support from the transport ministry, so I think we will do well," he said.

The minister's visit is a working trip and includes more meetings with regional administration officials. Other topics include developing the ports and shipping safety.