Türkiye is Bulgaria's traditional and important friend and neighbor: President Radev

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Türkiye is a traditional and important friend and neighbor of Bulgaria, the president of the Balkans nations said Tuesday.

“For Bulgaria, Türkiye is also our ally in NATO, and our strategic partner in various fields of mutual interest," Rumen Radev said after presenting a first degree Madara Horseman state medal to Aylin Sekizkok, the outgoing Turkish ambassador to Sofia.

Radev said bilateral cooperation in areas such as security, energy, transportation connections, borders, and environmental protection requires the search for constructive new solutions.

"We expect the trade volume between our two countries to reach the strategic target of €10 billion ($10.86 billion) in the near future. Türkiye has become one of the strategic investors for Bulgaria,” said Radev.

Sekizkok received the medal as she completed her tenure in the capital Sofia.

According to Radev, Sekizkok was awarded the medal for her extraordinary contributions to the consolidation and development of bilateral relations and her productive term of office.