site.btaVice President Iotova, New Turkish Ambassador Discuss Broadening Cultural Exchange

At a meeting here on Thursday, Vice President Iliana Iotova and the new Turkish Ambassador to Bulgaria, Mehmet Sait Uyanik, discussed the opportunities for a higher number of joint cultural initiatives between their countries, the head of State's press secretariat reported. The sides expressed confidence in the power of cultural diplomacy and the need for mutual understanding between the peoples. 

The Turkish Ambassador presented his country's proposal for the opening of a Turkish cultural centre in Bulgaria as well as a Bulgarian one in Turkiye. The Vice President talked about the idea, which she has been working on for several years, that Bulgaria should first set up its own national cultural institute, following the example of the Goethe Institute, Cervantes Institute, etc., which would work with other cultural institutions in Europe. All EU Member States have such a national institution, as does Turkiye.

Among the topics of the talks was the deepening of bilateral relations in the field of trade, energy connectivity, and tourism. The issue of migration was also discussed, with Ambassador Uyanik stressing that Turkiye is making every effort to deter illegal trafficking to the European Union. 

The Vice President underscored that Europe should focus on solving conflicts and problems in the countries that are the source of illegal migration, and not only on curing the consequences of these processes. Iotova also commented on the Pact on Migration and Asylum recently adopted by the EU. As part of this legislation, Bulgaria will have a decisive role and greater powers with regard to readmission, the Vice President noted.