site.btaPM Borissov Leaves for Turkey to Discuss Refugee Crisis with President Erdogan

ESD 17:19:02 02-03-2020
DS1715ES.110
110 POLITICS - BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER - TURKEY - MIGRANTS

Prime Minister Borissov
Leaves for Turkey to Discuss
Refugee Crisis with President Erdogan


Sofia, March 2 (BTA) - Before leaving for Ankara to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told journalists that he wishes to continue the good and friendly neighbourly relations. He also said that his talks with Erdogan will focus on the opportunities for overcoming the tension caused by the increased migrant flow from Turkey to the EU in the last days and the measures for deescalating the tension in Syria.

Borissov proposed that a security centre be set up outside of the EU to immediately accommodate the migrants. The expenses will be covered by the Union, he specified.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister called for an immediate suspension of the military actions in Syria and a diplomatic solution to the conflict in the spirit of peace and understanding.

Borissov told journalists that the conflict close to the Bulgarian border affects economic growth and business. "When you add the current flu strain plus the coronavirus, things might get dramatic at some point," he said.

In his words, even today Bulgaria has zero illegal migration and the country has perfect relations with the border services and the ministries of Turkey and Greece.

During the talks with the Turkish President, Borissov will also talk about the good bilateral relations and the opportunities to deepen them. Also on the agenda will be the topic of the coronavirus, in relation to which the Bulgarian Prime Minister will request assistance for protective clothing.

Bulgaria will receive 2 million protective masks from the Netherlands within several days, Borissov also told journalists.

There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Bulgaria at present.

LN/DS