site.btaPM Borissov on Russian Plane's Downing: Bulgaria Has Made Efforts to Avoid Such Provocation in Its Air Space

PM Borissov on Russian Plane's Downing: Bulgaria Has Made Efforts to Avoid Such Provocation in Its Air Space

Suzhou, Southeastern China, November 24 (BTA special correspondent Genka Ivanova) - Asked to comment the downing of a Russian plane by Turkey on Tuesday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said: "We have made much efforts, together with the Foreign Minister and the Defence Minister, with the diplomacy, to make sure we are not provoked in our own air space."

He said that "a similar incident" occurred several weeks ago. "We asked the Russian side to inform us in the way the rules call for - with one-week notice, with description of what the flight carries - to make sure we don't have such a conflict. Fortunately, it was done [by Russia] as requested."

Borissov said that the incident comes at "a very bad moment" and added that "things are not good and no good results should be expected" when NATO, in the face of Turkey, and Russia are in involved such a conflict.

"We are trying to bring investors, to create jobs, build infrastructure and develop the Balkans, and what is happening is not good and will not go without consequences," the Bulgarian Prime Minister commented from Suzhou in Southeastern China where he is attending the Fourth Summit of China and Central and Eastern European Countries.

The Foreign Ministry in Sofia said that Turkey has called an extraordinary meeting of the North Atlantic Council at ambassadors' level for Tuesday evening and no statement on the plane downing incident should be expected from the Ministry before that.