site.btaPresident Radev: "Addressing MRF's National Conference, Erdogan Tried to Meddle in Bulgarian Politics" MRF Leader Karadayi: "Erdogan Spoke as Party Leader"

Sofia, December 19 (BTA) - Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) leader Mustafa Karadayi diverged in their reaction to a greetings video address that Turkish President Recep Tayiip Erdogan made at the MRF's National Conference, held online on December 12.

Radev said on Darik Radio on Saturday that Erdogan's address "admits ambitions to participate in Bulgaria's political life and is inadmissible." The Bulgarian head of State argued that Prime Minister Boyko Borissov (a close personal friend of Erdogan's) is a conduit of that influence.

MRF is an opposition party with a large following among ethnic Turks in Bulgaria.

In Radev's opinion, Erdogan's address calls into question the MRF's reputation as a nationally responsible political force. "Turkey is a friend, a partner and an ally, and I'd rather not than this affect our relations. I hope we don't revert to the relations of March 2017, when the Turkish authorities openly interfered in our election process. I hope that Turkey will not meddle in this election campaign," the Bulgarian head of State told Darik Radio. He was referring to the 2017 parliamentary elections in Bulgaria and to the general elections due next year.

In his address, Erdogan talked about the goodneighbourly relations between the two countries and congratulated the Boyko Borissov Cabinet on its effort to cope with the coronavirus crisis. "Let me assure you that, even though I may be far away, my heart and feelings are with you. I wish success to the new leadership of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms and to the whole conference, held in the name of the well-being of our compatriots," the Turkish President said further on.

For his part, Karadayi, who was re-elected MRF leader at last Saturday's National Conference, told Darik Radio later in the day that Erdogan was invited to address the MRF National Conference in his capacity as the leader of the Justice and Development Party, one of Turkey's four biggest political parties, and not as a president. Karadayi believes Radev misinterpreted Erdogan's address because he is Turkey's President but was not invited to speak at the MRF's online conference as such.

"We did not invite any presidents. We heard greetings from party leaders from all our neighbours by land and sea: Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan. Besides this, we received addresses from the entire Liberal community worldwide," the MRF leader added.

He noted that it was quite normal for Erdogan to mention Borissov by name in his address, considering their fine relationship. MY/LG