Italy will back Bulgaria in its efforts to become a regional air traffic control centre for Central and Southeast Europe along with Brindizi. Bulgarian Transport Minister Nikolay Vassilev has been given the assurance by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini during his three-day working visit to Italy. Earlier in the week Bulgaria received positive signals for Germany's support as well. The Minister for Transportation and Construction Manfred Stolpe even suggested that German experts in air traffic control visit Bulgaria within a week. The first trial stage of introducing a new system for air traffic control was wrapped up at the beginning of March. The new system was supplied by Italy's Alenia Marconi Systems. The third generation system meets all requirements of the The European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL), Minister Vassilev assured then. Italy has also confirmed its interest in landing concessions for the airports in the Black Sea cities of Varna and Burgas and the privatisation of flag carrier Bulgaria Air.