site.btaCulture Minister, Turkish Ambassador Discuss Cooperation in Preservation of Cultural Heritage

Sofia, August 21 (BTA) - Caretaker Culture Minister Martin Ivanov Thursday received Turkish Ambassador to Sofia Suleyman Gokce, Ivanov's Ministry said in a press release.

The two officials confirmed that the relations between Bulgaria and Turkey are traditionally friendly and good-neighbourly and that the two-way dialogue develops ever more successfully.

Ivanov said that culture is the best area of cooperation and partnership between the peoples. "Within the short term in office of the caretaker cabinet we will do our best to give a new boost in the development of the traditionally good relations between our two countries," he said.

One of the topics on the agenda of the meeting was the preparation of the bilateral programme for cooperation in the preservation of cultural heritage in 2014-2018. Ambassador Gokce said that preservation of the cultural and historical heritage is a priority for Turkey. He expresses a wish for the speedier signing and enforcement of the programme. The diplomat said that repair works continue of the Bulgarian St Stephen Church in Istanbul, also known as the Iron Church. He said that the resources to reinforce the church have been provided by the Turkish side. The Ambassador also voiced concern with the state of repair of the Ibrahim Pasa Mosque in Razgrad, Northeastern Bulgaria, and recommended more active work in finding ways to finance the necessary repair works.