Turkiye and Bulgaria discussed expansion of Malko Tarnovo border crossing point

A delegation from Turkiye’s administrative district of Kırklareli on August 14 arrived in Bulgaria’s Bourgas at the invitation of the District Governance in the seaside city. The occasion was the implementation of the projects for the expansion of the border crossing point Malko Tarnovo - Derekoi, as well as the development of bilateral relations in the field of education and culture. The Governor of Kırklareli said he was ready to assist Bulgaria in preparing a mirror technical and detailed design of the future border crossing. On the Turkish side, such a project has already been prepared.

The delegation was led by the Governor of Kırklareli Province Birol Ekici and included the Deputy Minister of Education, a Member of Parliament, the Mayors of Kırklareli and Babaeski, as well as heads of universities, customs, hospital managers, leading cardiologists, chairs of chambers of commerce and industry, hotel owners and representatives of the tourism industry in Turkiye.

The meeting was attended by the mayors of several municipalities in the region. The Turkiye's Consul General in Burgas Tolga Orkun emphasized the traditionally good relations between Bulgaria and Turkiye and expressed readiness to give additional positive energy in this direction through active diplomatic activity.

The development of health care and the exchange of experience and hospital specialists between the two administrative districts is a reality and a sought-after opportunity to improve the qualifications of local and Turkish doctors, and trainees. A major educational forum is to be organized with the participation of leading scientists from both countries. The chairs of industrial associations invited again the regional businesses to develop and expand their activities in the industrial zone of Kırklareli, which they said is another step in intensifying business relations and increasing employment. The mayors of the municipalities of Bourgas region said that their relations with municipalities of Kırklareli province are long-standing and traditionally very good and this rhythm of work will continue in the future. They expressed satisfaction with the benefits of bilateral cooperation.

"The friendship between our two nations has strong roots. I take this opportunity, as a representative of the State, to express my heartfelt thanks for your willingness to help in extinguishing the wildfires that have recently affected Bulgaria. I also see the willingness to cooperate even more actively, which will be positive to both our nations," said Bourgas Governor Maria Neykova.

She added that the governor and the mayors of Burgas region will always have honest, responsible and friendly attitude. The guests took away pleasant impressions from their stay in Bourgas, from the hospitality of the Bulgarians with a promise that they will soon visit the city again to sign a memorandum of cooperation, which will be the basis for twinning of municipalities from both countries and work on cross-border projects.