site.btaTurkish Consul: "No Obstacles in Turkey to Vote for Bulgarian President"

Turkish Consul: "No Obstacles in Turkey to Vote for Bulgarian President"

Shoumen, Northeastern Bulgaria, August 4 (BTA) - "There are no obstacles to organizing sections in Turkey for voting during the Bulgarian presidential elections," Turkey's Consul General in Bourgas Niyazi Akyol said at the BTA Press Club in Shoumen on Thursday, answering a reporter's question.

In his words, there is no change at all in Turkey regarding the pace of life and citizens are not subjected to legal restrictions. "The state of emergency and the measures that are being taken target a terrorist organization; it is wrong to say that it is dangerous in Turkey," the diplomat added.

"Faced with a grave situation, we do not see sufficient understanding from our European partners," Akyol pointed out. He added that "these divergencies" will not affect Turkey's desire to become a EU member, which is the country's long-term objective.

The Consul also said that 18 TV stations, 23 radio stations, 45 newspapers, 15 magazines, 29 publishing houses and three news agencies have been closed down owing to their close relations with the organization. It has also been decided to close down 15 universities, 35 health care entities, 934 private educational establishments, 109 private boarding schools, 104 foundations, 1,125 associations and 19 trade unions, Akyol added.