site.btaDefence Minister Tagarev: Bulgarian, Turkish Defence Industries Have Ever Better Understanding of Cooperation Potential

On the second day of his official visit to Turkiye, Bulgarian Defence Minister Todor Tagarev conferred with National Security Council Secretary General Seyfullah Hacimuftuoglu, Tagarev's Ministry said in a press release on Thursday.

The two exchanged views regarding security challenges in the Black Sea region and the Balkans and discussed progress in bilateral security and defence relations. The sides also outlined the areas with a potential for deepening cooperation, such as the defence industry.

"There is ever better understanding about the capacity of the two countries' defence industry and the potential for cooperation," Tagarev said.

Next, the Bulgarian delegation met with Deputy National Defence Minister Celal Sami Tufekci and with the management of the State-owned ASFAT Company. The hosts presented the capabilities of the holding's subsidiaries and expressed willingness to cooperate more actively with the defence industry of Bulgaria, which was assessed as an important ally in NATO and a good neighbour and partner in a number of sectors.

During Tagarev's visit, an intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding was signed regarding cross-border air policing operations.

On Wednesday, the Bulgarian Defence Minister confered with Turkish Grand National Assembly Defence Committee Deputy Chairperson Refik Ozen.