site.btaTurkish PM Promises Fair Trial for Gulenists Sent Back by Bulgaria, Offers Bilateral Cooperation against Illegal Migration
Turkish PM Promises Fair Trial for Gulenists Sent Back by Bulgaria, Offers Bilateral Cooperation against
Illegal Migration
Istanbul, August 13 (BTA) - In a phone conversation with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on Friday, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim promised a fair trial for supporters of Fethullah Gulen who have been send back from Bulgaria to Turkey. He also proposed bilateral cooperation against illegal migtation, according to a statement by the press office of the Turkish Prime Minister.
"I believe that the expulsion on the part of Bulgaria is a good example for the other countries among our friends and partners," Yildirim said as quoted by his press office.
The handover to Turkey of a gulenist - Turkish businessman Abdullah Buyuk - earlier in the outgoing week, caused an outrage in Bulgaria due to large-spread fears that he will be denied a fair trial. Two Bulgarian courts refused to grant Turkey's request to extradite him but the Interior Ministry stepped in and handed him over to the Turkish authorities at the border, explaining that his right to stay in Bulgaria had expired.
Yildirim underscored that his country received with content the Bulgarian government's position in support of his government against the July 15 coup attempt.
During the conversation with Borissov, the Turkish Prime Minister noted that his country understands Bulgaria's concerns related to illegal migration, and proposed that Turkish and Bulgarian authorities launch a mechanism for bilateral cooperation.
"It is Turkey's priority to implement the agreement with the EU on migrants and visa liberalization. However, until we reach the implementation of this stage, I propose that our two countries, which share a common border, undertake a mechanism for bilateral cooperation on this matter," Yildirim said.
Borissov accepted the proposal. The two prime ministers agreed that such a mechanism would not mean an abolition of the agreement with the EU on migrants, the press release reads.
BTA correspondent to Turkey Nahide Deniz contributed to this story.
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