Migration Crisis, Security Risks, Economic Links in Focus of Borisov-Davutoglu Meeting

Challenges to security posed by the migration crisis in Europe and cooperation in border control management were in the focus of discussions between the prime ministers of Bulgaria and Turkey in Istanbul on Wednesday.

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borisov informed his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu that he will press for the creation of a safe zone in Syria along the border with Turkey at the forthcoming session of the European Council.

Bulgaria will also insist that Turkey, which is sheltering two million refugees, be granted financial assistance to cope with the refugee problem, Borisov told Davutoglu, according to a media release issued by the Bulgarian government’s press office.

Ahmet Davutoglu described his talks with the visiting Bulgarian prime minister as “very meaningful”.

The crises in Syria and Iraq, Davutoglu said, are a problem not only for neighbouring Turkey but for all European countries as well.

“We have a very good and close cooperation on these issues which we discussed today with Prime Minister Borisov,” Davutoglu said after the meeting.

Investment projects were also on the agenda of their talks, particularly the modernization of road and railway links between Bulgaria and Turkey.

Borisov said that Bulgaria will open for traffic the last stretch of its Maritsa motorway linking Sofia and Istanbul in a few days, which will make travel to and from Turkey much easier.

Liberalisation of visa requirements with the aim of encouraging tourism and business trips between Bulgaria and Turkey will be on Borisov’s agenda, he said.

Davutoglu said he hoped that Bulgaria-Turkey trade turnover will double very soon to reach USD 10 B. The Turkish prime minister also said he expected a Bulgarian-Turkish summit on stepping up economic relations will take place after Turkey’s November 1 parliamentary elections.

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