NEWS

Head of State Rumen Radev discussed the opportunities for deepening the partnership between Bulgaria and Turkiye in the spheres of transport, energy, digital connectivity and defence at a meeting with the management of the Pasifik Teknoloji Company, which was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Defence. The Head of State emphasised that Turkiye is an important neighbour, partner and ally of Bulgaria, and in recent years there has been an increasing dynamism in bilateral economic and trade exchanges and in a number of other areas. 

 

Rumen Radev said that the EU's strategy for the development of the Trans-Caspian international transport corridor (the so-called Middle Corridor) and the planned EUR 12 billion  investments open prospects for much more active cooperation in the development of supply chains to Europe. To this end, a more active communication between the business representatives of Bulgaria and Turkiye is needed for the implementation of projects of mutual interest. Our country is also interested in enhanced partnership with leading technology companies in the process of modernisation of the Armed Forces, including industrial cooperation and technology transfer.

 

The representatives of Pasifik Teknoloji stressed the importance of the development of the Trans-Caspian international transport corridor for the transfer of goods and energy resources to Europe, of which Bulgaria and Turkiye are part, which creates preconditions for the unification of efforts for the development of regional connectivity. The company is part of a holding company that operates in various sectors such as transport, logistics, construction, technology, energy, as well as in the production of advanced defence equipment. Companies from Pasifik Holding are already involved in the process of developing rail links within the Middle Corridor and are interested in collaborating with Bulgarian railways as well as with the ports of Varna and Burgas.

Statement by Head of State Iliana Iotova

For projects aimed at improving connectivity between Bulgaria and Turkiye must be viewed as a whole, to be successful, and within the context of closer cooperation in Southeastern Europe. This will bolster both economic development and security in the region, whose strategic importance is growing. This was stated by President Iliana Iotova at a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is on a formal visit to Bulgaria.

Albulena Haxhiu expressed her gratitude to President Iotova for Bulgaria’s support on Kosovo’s path toward membership in NATO and the European Union.

Iliana Iotova raised the issue of depopulation in the area along the Bulgarian-Serbian border and highlighted the need for investment to counter the adverse demographic trend.