SOFIA, April 20, 2007 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas repeated Friday that the British journalist kidnapped in Gaza is alive and said the government was in contact with the British authorities on the case.

"We are maintaining a steady contact with Britain's Foreign Office on the matter," President Abbas told reporters in Sofia after meeting with Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov. "I cannot, however, provide more details because of the security of the British journalist," Abbas added.

President Abbas also appreciated Bulgaria's decision to open a permanent diplomatic mission in Ramallah to strengthen relations with Palestine.

He thanked Parvanov for acknowledging the Palestinian government of national unity, finding it a step forward in solving the Middle East problems.

For his part, Parvanov said: "Bulgaria has always recognized the Palestinians right to have their own state."

As an EU member state, Bulgaria will also participate actively in the Middle East peace process, Parvanov added.

Bulgaria is the second leg of Abbas's tour, which started in France and will continue in Poland, Sweden, Greece, Italy and Switzerland.

A.D (21:30P) (18:30GMT)