Co-operation between Bulgaria and Turkey in the fields of energy and infrastructure is of high priority. This was emphasised at a joint news conference in Ankara by President Rosen Plevneliev and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gül. The two presidents held talks in the Turkish capital at the start of the first official visit by the Bulgarian head of state to Turkey.
Presidents Plevneliev and Gül exchanged information on opportunities for the transfer of energy resources from the Caucasus and Central Asia via Turkey and Bulgaria to Western Europe. “The gas interconnector link between the two countries is of strategic importance and we hope that it will commence soon,” said President Plevneliev, who stated the country’s desire for the connection to be implemented as part of the Nabucco West project. He welcomed the establishment of the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline TANAP, which would contribute to the energy security of all of Europe.
Joint work on infrastructure projects, including the building of railway lines, expressways and roads linking Bulgarian with Turkish Mediterranean ports with “ro-ro” connections would contribute to the economic development of both countries, President Plevneliev said after the meeting. He said that there were indications of new investments by large Turkish companies in Bulgaria. “Not only large, but also small and medium enterprises are welcome, because Bulgaria is rapidly improving its business environment, creating new legislation to support investors and innovation which is in the interest of economic co-operation,” he said.
President Plevneliev highlighted relations between the two countries as an example for the region. Turkey is a prime tourist destination for Bulgarians and is the second-largest export market for our country. “We have set very high goals – to work for peace, for development, for good neighbourliness and for connectivity,” the President said.
Turkish President Gül said that every year about a million Bulgarian citizens visit Turkey, which was an example of the relations between the two countries. Trade turnover has reached three billion euro, and the goal is that “as soon as possible” this should reach 10 billion euro, which would happen with the deepening of bilateral trade and economic co-operation, President Gül said.
The Bulgarian President stated Bulgaria’s firm position in support of Turkey’s European perspectives and expressed Bulgaria’s readiness to share its experience in the negotiation process with its southern neighbour. “We shared a common vision for the countries in the region and together we shall work for their prospects for membership of the EU and NATO,” President Plevneliev said.
The possible construction of new energy capacity near the Turkish city of ??neada, near the Turkish-Bulgarian border, was on the agenda, it became clear after the official talks. “We await more information and are searching for a solution,” President Plevneliev said in response to a question from a journalist. President Gül said that Turkey was discussing various energy projects “but one thing has to be certain – all of these projects should comply with environmental requirements”.
President Plevneliev raised with his Turkish counterpart the issue of the recognition of the diplomas of Turkish graduates from Bulgarian universities. We believe that this is a temporary problem and the responsible ministries will find the relevant solution, Presidents Plevneliev and Gül said. “Bulgaria enjoys a serious reputation as a regional educational centre and trains students from more than 50 countries,” the Bulgarian President said.
In the Turkish capital, President Plevneliev laid a wreath at the Mausoleum of the founder of the modern Turkish state, Kemal Ataturk, after which he was welcomed at an official ceremony by his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gül. On the first day of his official visit to Turkey, President Plevneliev will have talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip and the President of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Cemil Çiçek