SOFIA
Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek on Thursday met with the Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, Bulgarian Parliament Speaker Tsetska Tsacheva and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov in Sofia.
President Plevneliev stated that Turkish-Bulgarian relations were excellent in all fields.
Cicek's first visit in Sofia on Thursday took place at Tsacheva's office.
"Turkish-Bulgarian relations continue to develop in a dynamic fashion. Our governments as NATO allies are in a fertile cooperation. Bulgaria supports Turkey's bid to join the EU and is ready to share her experiences with Turkey," Tsacheva stressed.
Cicek told Tsacheva that he was pleased to be in Bulgaria.
During Cicek's meeting with Tsacheva, bilateral relations were reviewed and certain regional issues were discussed. Cicek received information on the Bulgarian Parliament.
Cicek and his delegation later proceeded to the Bulgarian Parliament's general assembly hall where he was greeted by Tsacheva.
Bulgarian deputies stood up and welcomed Cicek and his delegation by applauding.
Cicek's second stop in Sofia on Thursday was the office of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.
Cicek held a meeting with Borisov at the building of the Bulgarian Council of Ministers which lasted around one hour. The meeting was closed to the press corps.
And, finally, Cicek met with the Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev in Sofia on Thursday.
President Plevneliev stressed that relations between Turkey and Bulgaria and the Turkish people and Bulgarian people were very warm and friendly.
"Our relations with Turkey are excellent at all levels. Our governments meet each other twice every year. Relations between the Turkish and Bulgarian parliaments and presidents could be a role model in the world," Plevneliev stated.
"I am anxious to visit Turkey in November. I am confident that my visit to Turkey would add new momentum to our bilateral relations. My delegation will include several ministers and businesspeople," Plevneliev noted.
"Turkey ranks 19th as the country with most investments in Bulgaria. Such investments are below the actual potential. Turkish investments are under the special protection of governmental organizations and we provide incentives to them," Plevneliev stressed.
"Bulgaria follows very closely Turkey's EU process and extends support to Turkey's EU bid," Plevneliev said.
Having completed his official talks in Sofia, Cicek attended a luncheon hosted by Tsacheva in his honor.
Cicek invited Tsacheva to Turkey and shared some of his memories in Bulgaria in past trips. Tsacheva informed Cicek that she would gladly visit Turkey once the Bulgarian Parliament completes debates on the new budget.
Cemil Cicek will attend a reception to be hosted by the Turkish Ambassador in Sofia, Ismail Aramaz in his honor before departing from Sofia on Thursday.
Deputies of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party Lutfi Elvan and Mustafa Ozturk, a deputy of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Emre Koprulu and a deputy of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Bulent Belen are among the dignitaries present in Cemil Cicek's delegation.
