ANKARA 

Anadolu Agency's Director-General Senol Kazanci has expressed condolences on the death of Maxim Minchev, the head of Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

The agency said the 67-year-old passed away on Sunday after a brief illness. "On November 6, his colleagues at BTA were informed that Minchev had tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantined," BTA reported.

"I heard with great sorrow about the demise of Mr. Maxim Minchev, Director General of the Bulgarian News Agency," Kazanci said in a statement on Monday.

"I remember Mr. Minchev, as the one who greatly contributed to the advancement of Anadolu Agency-BTA cooperation and relations. Among regional and international media organizations, he had carved his niche as a tall figure."

He expressed sympathies with Minchev’s family, saying: "Anadolu Agency shares their grief and stands by them during these difficult times."

"My thoughts are with the BTA team," Kazanci added.

The Association of the Balkan News Agencies- Southeastern Europe head Armela Krasniqi also conveyed her condolences over BTA head's death.

"The Alliance of Balkan News Agencies is really shocked to hear about suddenly death of Director General of BTA Director General Maxim Minchev. ABNA lost a great friend and a very important voice of the community, always pleading for balance, equality and evolution," she said.

Expressing sympathies to Minchev's family, Krasniqi further told, "In a long span of his association with the ABNA community, he has achieved what all of us could just dream. We will never forget those trips we had with Maxim and we will always miss him."

Among those who expressed their condolences also include Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

In his 40-year long career, Minchev was correspondent and editor of various newspapers and radio shows. He was the BTA's chief since 2003.