site.btaBulgarian Leaders Comment on Relations with Turkey

Bulgarian Leaders Comment on Relations with Turkey

Sofia, April 18 (BTA) - It is very important to keep up Bulgaria's good neighbourly relations with Turkey, Bulgaria's caretaker Prime Minister Ognian Gerdjikov told journalists on Tuesday. Gerdjikov does not expect very big changes in Turkey after last Sunday's constitutional referendum - he only anticipates a validation of what already exists.

He expressed hope that Ankara will honour its commitments to a number of international organizations. "We need to focus on our own commitments to Turkey regarding good neighbourly relations and mutual respect for constitutional order," the Prime Minister said. He warned that a possible reintroduction of the death penalty in Turkey will damage the country's prospects of joining the European Union.

Bulgaria's Vice President Iliana Iotova expects a very complicated situation in Turkey in the coming months. Iotova noted that, with the referendum result so close, the victory of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is rather shaky. She said: "The only viable option for a country like ours is to pursue a European course of relations with Turkey, but our country should take a far more active stance."

Iotova noted that the danger of a major influx of migrants via Turkey to Bulgaria has always been overstated. She expects Ankara to honour its commitments to the EU. Considering the possible reinstatement of the death penalty, she observed that Turkey is a Council of Europe member. "The Council of Europe leadership will not allow a nation having the death penalty to be a Council member," the Vice President said.