site.btaPresident Radev Confers with Turkish Counterpart Erdogan on NATO Summit Sidelines

Brussels, July 12 (BTA Correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - President Rumen Radev has conferred with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Brussels on Thursday. Radev described to Bulgarian journalists his meeting with Erdogan as interesting and productive.

Radev described mutual respect for the internal political process concerning the activities of parties and elections as being crucial for good bilateral relations. "For me, this remains a very clear condition for having good relations with Turkey," the Bulgarian head of State said.

Radev said that the two discussed the Turkish Stream gas pipeline. "I believe Bulgaria is a natural extension of this pipeline. This is why the two governments must work in a constructive spirit, because Turkey is one of the decision-making factors," he said.

The Bulgarian President said he has introduced Erdogan to the latest draft amendments to the Religious Denominations Act in Bulgaria, to which the latter has reacted positively. "We must work in such a way that all denominations in Bulgaria are satisfied with this law's results," Radev said.

"I sincerely told President Erdogan that for us Turkey is an important neighbour, a partner and an ally. We want to develop good relations with Turkey and that is precisely why I insist that no open questions remain between us," Radev said.

Commenting the reactions to his participation in Erdogan's inauguration ceremony in Ankara, Radev said he is elected to the post by the Bulgarian people and acts and makes decisions in their name. "My term is not granted by the European Commission, nor was I elected by the Bulgarian Government," Radev commented.