Davutoğlu had several meetings with Bulgarian officials during his visit to Bulgaria upon the invitation of Mladenov. Davutoğlu also met with Bulgaria’s Grand Mufti Mustafa Hadzhi and other officials from the mufti’s office and was briefed on the problems of Muslims in Bulgaria. He then moved on to the Prime Ministry to meet with Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. Foreign Minister Mladenov and Turkish Ambassador to Bulgaria Mehmet Gücük were also present during the meeting. The two officials reportedly discussed the latest situation between the two countries.
Holding a joint press conference with Mladenov, Davutoğlu said relations between Turkey and Bulgaria are at a level that sets an example for other countries. Noting that Turkey’s investments in Bulgaria total more than $1 billion, Davutoğlu said they are ready to increase that amount. Noting that the Nabucco gas pipeline project will be one of Turkey’s strategic projects, Davutoğlu said Turkey is prepared to work with Bulgaria on a number of other projects.
During his speech, Mladenov said relations between Turkey and Bulgaria are similar to relations between two independent states and that both countries respect each other’s history and differences. The Bulgarian prime minister chose to stress the fact that Bulgaria and Turkey are independent because the two have over the last century interfered in each other’s affairs.
