Bulgarian President Todor Zhivkov and Greek Prime Minister Constantine Karamanlis have been meeting on the island of Corfu in an effort to improve relations between the two countries and generally upgrade Balkan co-operation.

SYNOPSIS: The tourist island of Corfu provided a relaxing venue for the talks between the Greek Premier, Mr. Karamanlis and the Bulgarian government delegation.

President Zhivkov was accompanied by his Foreign Minister, Peter Mladenov and Ministry officials. The two day visit by the Bulgarian leader is in return for that to Bulgaria by Mr. Karamanlis last year. Mr. Karamanlis has repeatedly stressed his desire for friendly relations with Communist bloc countries like Yugoslavia and Rumania as well as Bulgaria.

The colourful welcoming ceremony prepared for President Zhivkov preceded long round of negotiations focusing on Greco-Turkish difficulties, the Cyprus situation and problems special to the Balkan states. Reuters reports that Premier Karamanlis has initiated a plan for Balkan co-operation n economic, technical cultural an scientific fields, believing that this will eventually lead to political detente in the area. Reuters say that while Greece would wish to ensure the neutrality of its communist neighbours like Bulgaria in case of conflict with Turkey over Cyprus or territorial rights in the Aegian Sea, it would hope that detente in Balkans, would include Turkey.