ATHENS, Nov. 25 (Xinhua)-- Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov on Wednesday urged Greek business people to make more investments in his country and boost economic cooperation in the Balkans.

    Accompanied by a delegation of Bulgarian entrepreneurs, Parvanov made a presentation on his country's economy to Greek businessmen at Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

    He emphasized the need of "strengthening cooperation in the Balkans for the benefit of economic and political stability too, as part of the general European vision."

    Greeks have so far invested more than 2.8 billion euros in Bulgaria through 1,500 businesses. The construction of the new highway from Rumania to Greece through Bulgaria is expected to advance the economic ties between the countries.

    On the second day of his official three-day visit in Athens, Parvanov also held a meeting earlier Wednesday with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, focusing on collaboration in the energy sector.

    A gas pipeline link between southern Bulgaria and northern Greece is under construction. The pipeline will enable Bulgaria to import natural gas, originally transferred from the Caspian Sea region, in a bid to reduce dependency on Russian supplies.