site.btaBulgarian Parliament Leader, Turkish President Discuss International Migration Meeting in Bulgaria

Meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul Tuesday, Bulgarian Parliament leader Vezhdi Rashidov discussed with him the idea for holding an international meeting on migration in Bulgaria. Details about the talks were made public by Rashidov as he talked to the media.

Rashidov said that Bulgaria is seeking to be a key player in the talks on migration "because it is important for us to be a driving force". 

He also said that Bulgaria must be pro-active and have a solid position "because this is our border".

Rashidov pledged that the Bulgarian Parliament will initiate an international summit on migration during his talks with Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, Mustafa Sentop, on Monday.

"Now, when we become mediators, we will all sit down at the same table, because Turkiye and Europe both have their problems and the latter has started to realize this crisis," Rashidov said, adding that everyone is ready to work in that direction and the best part is that it was decided for Bulgaria to have its role. 

Vezhdi Rashidov explained that President Rumen Radev will be paying a visit to Brussels, when the details surrounding the summit will be made clear. 

Erdogan and Rashidov have also discussed the issue of protecting cultural property. According to the Bulgarian Parliament leader, the current agreement between the two countries on the matter is outdated and new agreements on cultural exchange and other joint activities will have to be signed. He recalled that many joint intergovernmental meetings were held between Bulgaria and Turkiye when GERB leader Boyko Borissov was prime minister.