site.btaUPDATED Parliament Chair Zhelyazkov, Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan Discuss Economic Cooperation

Opportunities for deepening and expanding the trade, economic and sectoral cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkiye were the main topic on the agenda during the meeting between National Assembly Chair Rosen Zhelyazkov and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan here on Tuesday, the Parliament's press service reported.

There is excellent cooperation between our two countries in a number of areas, but we need to find a way to exploit the untapped potential for further development in trade and economic relations, Zhelyazkov noted. He stressed that Turkiye is one of Bulgaria's leading foreign economic and trade partners, as well as a strategic investor here.

Zhelyazkov pointed out Turkiye importance for ensuring the security of energy supplies for Bulgaria and the EU, as well as its support for energy security through diversification of routes.

The partnership between Bulgaria and Turkiye, both bilaterally and within NATO, is a major factor of stability in the Black Sea region and the Balkans, Zhelyazkov said. He pointed out that the two countries are strategic allies that share common security challenges, especially in light of Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

Turkiye is our important partner in areas such as migration and border security, energy, infrastructure, economy, tourism, the National Assembly Chair said. He expressed confidence that cooperation at all levels on countering migrant smuggling networks will continue, as cooperation in this area is of particular importance not only for Bulgaria, but for the entire European Union.

Hakan Fidan is in Bulgaria at the invitation Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel.

The chairperson of the Parliamentary Friendship Group Bulgaria - Turkiye and Movement for Rights and Freedoms floor leader, Delyan Peevski, also met with Fidan in Parliament on Tuesday, the Parliament's press service said. Peevski and Fidan discussed the goodneighbourly relations between the two countries and the economic, social and cultural ties between the peoples of Bulgaria and Turkiye.

Peevski expressed readiness to promote further cooperation between the two countries. The main topic on the agenda was the total trade of goods between Bulgaria and Turkiye.